Advice and Benefits

Find out what benefits you might be entitled to, get help with debt and managing your finances, and access your account online.  You can also tell us about changes to your circumstances and learn how to appeal if you feel a decision is wrong.

View your account online

Apply for housing benefit and Council Tax support

Benefits calculator

Tell us about a change in circumstances

Discretionary housing payment

Universal Credit

Report benefit fraud

Forms and guides

Appeals

Open Portal

The Open Portal gives you secure access to your benefits information, including details of entitlements and awards. There’s also an option to receive electronic notifications.

The system is free to use and means that your future benefit notifications will be sent in electronic form to your Open Portal account. You’ll then be sent an email letting you know that there’s a new notification for you to view.

To register, you’ll need to email housing.benefits@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk with the subject Open Portal.  You’ll need to provide your full name and the address where you’re registered for housing benefits.  

The system makes your life easier by:

  • notifying you of your benefit as soon as it's available
  • meaning you always know where your notification is
  • saving paper, so it's better for the environment (although there is the option to download and print the notification if you want to)
  • saving printing, sorting and postage costs, which are ultimately passed on to you as a resident