WINCHESTER City Council has launched a campaign aimed at helping residents who receive housing benefits and council tax support.

The 'It’s great to be up to date' campaign aims to remind residents receiving those benefits that they should let the council know as soon as they have a change in their circumstance.

Residents who do not contact the council straight away following a change in circumstances risk losing out on benefits they may have been entitled to or being asked to repay overpayments.

The council’s Benefits team and charity partner The Yellow Brick Road Project, were at Party in the Park in Stanmore last month with their mascot Ellie the Elephant - where they spoke to residents about the campaign, giving advice about benefits and reminding them to ‘Tell Ellie’ to report any changes of circumstances.

Winchester City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Finance, councillor Guy Ashton said: “It was really good to see this campaign getting some attention at Party in the Park. ‘It’s great to be up to date’ is a really important message which will ensure that our residents get the right amount of benefits and support to help with their rent and Council Tax, which is particularly significant with the roll out of Universal Credit in Winchester from April 2018.”

To find out more about the campaign or ask about Universal Credit or to tell the team about a change in circumstances visit http://www.winchester.gov.uk/benefits/change-circumstances/ or call 01962 848 539.