Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction - Facts and Figures

Local authorities (LAs) such as Perth and Kinross Council administer Housing Benefit on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).  

HB Circular A5/2023 sets out the key areas and standards that DWP seek that LAs deliver on.  These ultimately set the target for our performance and goals.

In financial year 2022/23 Perth and Kinross Council's Benefits Team issued £19.2 million of Housing Benefit payments.

We maintained an average Housing Benefit caseload of 4,600 households, assessed 630 new claims and 11,700 changes in circumstances.

We processed new Housing Benefit claims in an average of 17 days against a target of 16 days.

We processed Housing Benefit changes in circumstances in a average of 6 days against a target of 6 days.

In financial year 2022/23 Perth and Kinross Council's Benefits Team awarded £6.9m of Council Tax Reduction.

We maintained an average Council Tax Reduction caseload of 8,350 households, assessed 3,900 new claims and 35,100 changes in circumstances.