LONG-TERM unemployed people about to start work may be entitled to extended housing and council tax benefit payment.

If you currently receive these benefits and have been claiming Income Support or Job Seekers' Allowance (income based) for 26 consecutive weeks or more prior to starting work, you could be entitled to four extra weeks' benefit.

To be eligible your new job must last for five weeks or more and you must be aged under 60 years after your Income Support or Job Seekers' Allowance ends.

The aims is to encourage long-term unemployed people to return to work by giving them four weeks' grace until they receive their first salary.

You must apply within eight days of your Income Support or Job Seekers' Allowance ceasing.

You can pick up form NHB 1EP, preferably from the Job Centre when you notify them that you will be starting work, or from the DSS office or any council office.

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