Calculator

The eClaim comes with a benefit calculator, which is able to act as a standalone function or as a precursor to an application. I.e. it can be optional if the council wishes it to be so. The calculator is able to work out whether a person would be eligible to receive:

• Housing Benefit AND / OR:

• Council Tax Support (LCTS) / Council Tax Discount (banded scheme) (LCTD)

There is a huge amount of flexibility in how the calculation for LCTS/LCTD is worked out and unlike ‘standard’ calculators available online, this calculator is designed to calculate LCTS and LCTD precisely in line with your scheme. It has built-in intelligence around:

• Universal Credit to only calculate LCTS unless a person lives in exempt accommodation

• Pension equalisation rules to ensure the appropriate applicable amounts are calculated in real-time

• Social Sector Size criteria (Bedroom Tax) to ensure the appropriate 14/25% reductions are made

Upon completion of the calculator the citizen is provided with a breakdown of their potential eligibility and three options on what to do next.

Namely:

• Start an online application using the data already provided

• Do another calculation using the details already provided (i.e. to cater for 'what if' scenarios)

• Do a new calculation starting from scratch