Thanet District Council Benefits Service Performance - qtr 3 2009

How quickly are we processing claims?

1. Average number of days we take to process new claims for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

A new claim is a "first time" claim or a claim following any break in entitlement. This counts from the date the application is submitted to the date it is processed, and includes any time for the customer to provide any supporting information

 

Prior Years Overall Performance

  • In 2005/2006 we took on average 44 days to process a new claim
  • In 2006/2007, we took on average 25 days to process a new claim
  • In 2007/2008, we took on average 20 days to process a new claim
  • In 2008/2009, we took on average 20 days to process a new claim
  Av Days to Process New Claims chart

Latest Performance

In the first 9 months of 2009/2010, we took on average 19 days to process a new claim

Summary:

In 2009/2010 we are processing claims more quickly than prior years despite a significant increase in applications

 

2. Average number of days we take to process changes in circumstances for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

A change in circumstance is any change to an existing claim that we are told about in writing. This counts from the date we are told about the change to the date it is processed, and includes any time for the customer to provide any supporting information

 

Prior Years Overall Performance

  • In 2005/2006 we took on average 11 days to process a change in circumstance
  • In 2006/2007, we took on average 8 days to process a change in circumstance
  • In 2007/2008, we took on average 8 days to process a change in circumstance
  • In 2008/2009, we took on average 11 days to process a change in circumstance
  Average Days to Process change of circumstances

Latest Performance

In the first 9 Months of  2009/2010, we took on average 11 days to process a 'change event'

Summary:

In 2009/2010 we took on average 11 days to process changes, but the definition of a 'change of circumstances' changed from 2008/09 to include items not previously counted, (such as fraud investigations which may run for many months)

 

3. Percentage of new claims for Housing Benefit that we process within 14 days of the customer providing all the information.

A new claim is a "first time" claim or a claim following any break in entitlement

 

Prior Years Overall Performance

  • In 2005/2006 we processed 67% of these claims within 14 days
  • In 2006/2007, we processed 95% of these claims within 14 days
  • In 2007/2008, we processed 98% of these claims within 14 days
  • In 2008/2009, we processed 98% of these claims within 14 days
  Percentage of New claims for HB processed

 

Latest Performance

In the first 9 Months of  2009/2010, we processed 98% of these claims within 14 days

Summary:

In 2009/2010 we are processing claims as quickly as prior years despite a significant increase in applications.

 

4. Percentage of new claims for Council Tax Benefit that we process within 14 days of the customer providing all the information.

A new claim is a "first time" claim or a claim following any break in entitlement

 

Prior Years Overall Performance

  • In 2005/2006 we processed 65% of these claims within 14 days
  • In 2006/2007, we processed 95% of these claims within 14 days
  • In 2007/2008, we processed 98% of these claims within 14 days
  •  In 2008/2009 we processed 98% of these claims within 14 days
  Percentage of new claims for CTx processed

Latest Performance

In the first 9 Months of  2009/2010, we processed 98% of these claims within 14 days

Summary:

In 2009/2010 we are processing claims as quickly as prior years despite a significant increase in applications.

E-mail: Benefits@thanet.gov.uk

 

Tel: 01843 577552

from 9am to 5.30pm. 

 

Fax: 01843 577532

 

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