Postal strike advice
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Published On: Wednesday 21 October 2009
St.Helens Council has issued advice in lieu of the possibility of a postal strike
St.Helens Council has issued advice in lieu of the possibility of a postal strike
Regarding benefits, most housing benefit claimants will not be affected by the strike because they have their benefit paid to their landlord or straight into a bank or building society account. However, people who are paid housing benefit by cheque may find that the strike will delay delivery of their cheque.
Currently the Council has no arrangements to allow people to collect their cheques in person, although this will be reviewed should the dispute continue.
The Council strongly advises people who are paid by cheque to reconsider how they are paid.
By setting up a bank or building society account and having their housing benefit paid into it, customers can ensure that the get their money regularly and on time.
Anyone who wants advice about setting up a bank or building society account, or would like more information about having their benefit paid into an account, should contact Customer Services Team on 01744 456666 or call into the Council’s Contact Centre, Wesley House, St Helens. People who want to send claims, evidence or information to the Benefits Service can use their local library. Library staff can’t give advice about benefit but they can forward claims and information onto the Benefits Service. Information about the location of libraries and their opening times can be found on the Council’s website, www.sthelens.gov.uk .
If you are making a payment to the Council using the postal service, you may enquire as to whether your payment has been received by telephoning our Contact Centre on 01744 456789.
Blue Badge applications and renewals may also be checked through our Contact Centre.
Where evidential documents have been sent into us we will post as recorded delivery by return.
If you have any queries regarding payment, either that you are expecting to receive or you have made to the Council,
please contact us by email using our web site, or by telephone via the Contact Centre 01744 456789
Regarding benefits, most housing benefit claimants will not be affected by the strike because they have their benefit paid to their landlord or straight into a bank or building society account. However, people who are paid housing benefit by cheque may find that the strike will delay delivery of their cheque.
Currently the Council has no arrangements to allow people to collect their cheques in person, although this will be reviewed should the dispute continue.
The Council strongly advises people who are paid by cheque to reconsider how they are paid.
By setting up a bank or building society account and having their housing benefit paid into it, customers can ensure that the get their money regularly and on time.
Anyone who wants advice about setting up a bank or building society account, or would like more information about having their benefit paid into an account, should contact Customer Services Team on 01744 456666 or call into the Council’s Contact Centre, Wesley House, St Helens. People who want to send claims, evidence or information to the Benefits Service can use their local library. Library staff can’t give advice about benefit but they can forward claims and information onto the Benefits Service. Information about the location of libraries and their opening times can be found on the Council’s website, www.sthelens.gov.uk .
If you are making a payment to the Council using the postal service, you may enquire as to whether your payment has been received by telephoning our Contact Centre on 01744 456789.
Blue Badge applications and renewals may also be checked through our Contact Centre.
Where evidential documents have been sent into us we will post as recorded delivery by return.
If you have any queries regarding payment, either that you are expecting to receive or you have made to the Council,
please contact us by email using our web site, or by telephone via the Contact Centre 01744 456789
