News

A local council is working hard promoting benefits and letting people know about help that is available through Housing and Council Tax Benefits.

Dover District Council is providing and facilitating support, information and help for all local residents through the current economic climate.

When Dover and Deal branches of Woolworths closed recently, representatives from Dover District Council’s Welfare and Benefits teams, together with JobCentre Plus, met staff and made special presentations, and distributed information packs.

Of the 32 staff who attended, 8 benefits appointments were arranged immediately, and a further 10 applications were made.

Lynn Brisley, DDC Welfare Officer, said: “The staff welcomed our visit and a rapport was created which will hopefully encourage them to contact us without hesitation. The appreciation shown by all of the staff at Woolworths, and the number of queries we were able to resolve illustrates the value of this work, and we will continue to offer this service wherever we can.”

Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council said: “We are working hard to provide help and support to our communities through the current economic climate. As part of the budget process we are allocating additional support to help residents deal with financial problems and we are set to provide increased grant support to the district’s Citizens Advice Bureau.”

If any businesses or employees affected by redundancies or closure would like to find out more about the free visiting/advice service, please email lynn.brisley@dover.gov.uk or call (01304) 872164. For information on help available for businesses paying non-domestic rates, please see www.dover.gov.uk. For more information on Housing and Council Tax Benefit, please contact (01304) 821199 or email revenues@dover.gov.uk or call into your local Council Office or see the Council website at www.dover.gov.uk