Warning of delays in pay-out of benefits

Jan 16 2009 by Dave Black, The Journal

PEOPLE in Blyth Valley have been warned they could experience delays in receiving their housing and council tax benefits while a town hall information database is transferred to a new system.

The borough council will stop work on council tax, business rates and benefits from January 23 to February 11 so that the existing information can be switched over and tests carried out.

The change is required because of the council having to adopt the same system as the other five district authorities in Northumberland.

It will mean that from April 1 there will be just one computer information system for the whole county.

Blyth Valley Council leader Dave Stephens said: “Some payments will be issued early so that our regular customers continue to get their housing benefit.

“Anyone whose benefit would normally be payable on January 26 and February 2 or 9 will get an early payment before we close down the old computer system.”