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Benefit - visiting officer information

Salisbury District Council takes part in the Verification Framework, which is a set of standards by which it is able to compare benefit application data. The standards are set by central government. As part of this process we are required to visit customers in their homes to check benefit entitlement and to advise them on benefit related issues. The purpose of such visits is to enhance benefit awareness and to prevent abuse of the benefit system.

The visiting officers will need to review information and compare it to that held on the customer's last benefit application. They will check income, capital, housing costs, and identity, all of which will be done in confidence. The Visiting Officer will also help with the completion of benefit application forms to help make the benefit application process easier.

The visiting officer will copy your supporting information using a digital camera. If you are unhappy with a camera being used the visiting officer will take the information back to the office to be copied. It will be sent back to you by next day return post.

The visiting officer will normally not make an appointment for the first visit. However, he or she will always leave a calling card if the visit was not successful with a contact number to make an appointment. The number to contact if you need to discuss a visit or potential visit is Salisbury 01722 434483.

This is a new service operated by the council for customers making a new claim for benefit. It is designed to aid the customer in the benefit application process and to remove the confusion and distress from the task. It is hoped that this service will improve communication between all customers both internal and external and speed up the benefit process. This service has a key part to play in the benefit administration of the authority. If you would like to make an appointment, please call 01722 434483.