The Benefits Directory
Finding the right information has never been easier
What is The Benefits Directory?
Plain language interpretation
The Benefits Directory is a one-stop web-based knowledge management solution that is used by well over 100 LAs across England, Wales and Scotland as well as the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
Formerly known under the LA Directories brand, The Benefits Directory membership provides a plain-language interpretation of the law and published guidance for:
- Housing Benefit
- Universal Credit
- Council Tax Reduction law
- Discretionary Housing Payment
Key Features of The Benefits Directory
Consolidation
Easy interpretations
Consolidates and interprets the regulations and guidance published by the Department for Work and Pensions and where applicable, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
User friendly
Time saving
It has a logical menu structure and a search facility, which allows staff of all levels to find the answers they seek along with all the supporting legislation linked on the same page.
Cost effective
Unlimited membership
Membership of The Benefits Directory is available via an annual subscription fee, which provides access for unlimited numbers of staff within an organisation.
Benefits of using The Benefits Directory
Saves time spent on research
By consolidating published law and guidance about Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction all into one web-based knowledge management solution, it gives decision makers all the relevant supporting information at their fingertips, all in one place.
Historical records
It includes the history of relevant regulations, Decision Makers at all levels and Appeals Officers are particularly supported because they have instant access to all new and amending Statutory Instruments from 2006 as well as current law.
Quality data
Helps management improve individual team members’ performance by providing them with a reliable tool to help encourage their self-development. This means that managers are released to reengineer procedures that save time and money.
Cost savings across social care
Accessible by the whole local authority – full membership provides access to such as Training & Development, Customer Services, Welfare Rights, Housing, Debt Management, Internal Audit, Members etc.
Ambitious teams are growing with Infoshare+
Collaboration
How does The Benefits Directory work?
- Easy to use website, with simple navigation, that is updated online as law and guidance changes
- Consolidates and interprets the regulations and guidance published by the Department for Work and Pensions and where applicable, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- References entries to their source for ease of corroboration
- Has a logical menu structure, which allows staff of all levels to find the answers they seek along with all the supporting legislation linked on the same page
- Provides a key-word search facility allowing instant access to all areas of knowledge including Regulations with history, Circulars and Caselaw
Membership
What does a membership provide?
Membership of The Benefits Directory is available via an annual subscription fee, which provides:
- A benefits advisory service via the Directories Enquiry Service where the content of the Directory does not address the issue queried
- Access for unlimited numbers of staff within an organisation
- Access for homeworkers and offsite offices
What Our Customers Say About Us
“We find the services provided by LA Directories invaluable. Not only The Benefits Directory, but the ability to run complex cases past the team has proved very, very helpful.”
Matt Kelly, Benefits Manager, Dacorum Borough Council
“The Benefits Directory provides us with a superb online resource that is accessed daily by the whole team. It was the perfect solution to replacing all of the text books we shared when the team was previously office-based. The fact that it’s also available to our Customer Service and Housing Teams means that it provides amazing value for money.”
Naomi Armstrong, Benefits Manager, Cambridge City Council
“Cambridge City Council have been customers of LA Directories for many, many years; The Benefits Directory is used by welfare benefit officers and advisors as well as management. “
“Having a remote and geographically disbursed team means that The Benefits Directory is invaluable to us. All staff can access it, it is easy to read with links to the legislation, it is a vital tool for the running of our service.“
Download our Business Case for The Benefits Directory
The Benefits Directory Partners
We are proud to collaborate and work in partnership with other like-minded small companies who provide services that compliment or add to those that we offer for The Benefits Directory.
We work closely with Business Smart Solutions to provide local authorities with the ultimate Housing Benefit Subsidy experience.
LA Directories provides you with a detailed course that takes you through the Subsidy Claim Form and Audit Requirements, which can then be followed by Business Smart Solutions Subsidy Workbook Training.
They are also there to help you with –
- Completion of your Subsidy Workbooks and 40+ testing;
- Assessment of your Housing Benefit Award Accuracy reviews;
- Revenues collection improvement reviews and action plans;
- Completion of your statutory government returns
Business Smart Solutions have also raised the bar in the Recruitment Industry by offering a range of temporary and permanent recruitment solutions as well as on-demand resilience support as and when you need it.
They have vast experience in all areas of local government, which enables them to provide unparalleled service and results.
We partner with Visionary Network because they seek to promote thinking and practice of Local Government departments, particularly in the area of Policy around Revenues and Benefits.
We co-support Malcolm Gardner and his panel at their weekly networking and discussion groups which are free to attend for industry professionals. These sessions encourage the exchange of ideas, good practice and collaborative working.
Visionary Network also offers –
- clear and concise rewriting of rules and policies into plain language, such as the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, which has proven popular with councils, stakeholders, and citizens.
- general consultancy — helping to bring an understanding of the complex world and joining objectives to outcomes.
Their primary focus is ensuring financial stability for councils and safeguarding vulnerable households.
We are proud to say that we have had a long-term business relationship with entitledto.
entitledto are a leading provider of online benefits calculators in the UK, they help people determine what welfare benefits they can claim.
With adviser-led or self-serve options their range of cost-effective tools will help your clients check their entitlement to Universal Credit or find out if they will be better or worse off when they move from any legacy claims.
You can to find out how entitledto’s quick, simple, and easy to use products can help your organisation cope with increased demand on your services as people across the UK adapt to the cost-of-living crisis.
We partner with Inbest to help Local Authorities model potential changes to their Council Tax Reduction Schemes.
Inbest helps Revenues & Benefits teams design new CTR schemes by:
- Cost Analysis: Understand the financial implications of new schemes for the council.
- Impact Assessment: Assess the reach and effectiveness of schemes across resident segments, ensuring vulnerable households receive adequate support.
- Reporting: Communicate the proposed CTR schemes to key stakeholders.
Inbest also collaborates closely with Visionary Network to help Local Authorities design CTRs that are fair, protect vulnerable residents, promote economic activity, and support pathways to employment.
Request a demo
Find out how The Benefits Directory can help you.
- Save time on research
- Cost benefit across entire organisation
- Quality, historical data