There are three easy ways you can speed up your claim:

1. Simply call the new claims appointment line on 912 3302 or send an email to newclaims@trafford.gov.uk to make an appointment at any of our offices. We will check your claim form, verify your evidence and even assess your claim while you wait. This means you know exactly how much benefit you will receive and when it will be paid.

2. Fill in an online application form, then take your documents into your nearest office and ask for your claim to be fast tracked. Note: Once you have filled in the online claim form it will produce a tailored checklist which you can print out, telling you exactly what information we will need to see.

3. Download and fill in a Housing Benefit and Council Tax claim form and bring it to one of our offices or to your landlord with all the information we need (see part 16 of the form) and ask for your claim to be 'fast tracked'. We will aim to make a decision on your claim within five working days. However, if you do not provide all the information we need, we cannot award you any benefit until we receive it.