Council to run sessions highlighting changes to the welfare benefit system

The Highland Council will be running a number of awareness raising sessions in Skye and Lochalsh, Ullapool and Dingwall over the next few weeks advising people on how changes to the new Welfare Reform may affect them. 

From April 2013 the Government are implementing changes to the Welfare Benefits system. Anyone in receipt of working-age benefits you may be affected. This includes those on Income Support, Income Based Jobseekers Allowance, Income Related Employment and Support Allowance and anyone currently receiving Tax Credits, Housing Benefit  or Disability Living Allowance.

There are also additional changes to Housing Benefit entitlement if you are of working age and live in a local authority or housing association property and you are ‘under occupying’ your home.

The first information and advice session will take place on Tuesday 24 July at Portree Community Centre.  On Wednesday they will be held at the Broadford Hotel and on Thursday 26 July at the Kyle Hotel in Kyle of Lochalsh. All the sessions will run from 2.00pm – 4.00pm and 6.30pm – 8.30pm and everyone is welcome to come along to find out what you need to know and what the changes means for families.

Next month sessions will take place in Dingwall Community Centre on Thursday 9 and the MacPhail Centre, Ullapool on Thursday 16 August

Further sessions are in the process of being arranged at other locations throughout Highland.  If you would like information on those or how the Welfare Reform might affect you please contact us in confidence on telephone number 0800 090 1004 or Email Advice.Information@highland.gov.uk