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From today (Monday 2 November), income from Child Benefit will no longer be taken into account when calculating entitlement to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. This will mean more money for families already getting these benefits and other low income families becoming eligible for the first time.

Families who are already receiving Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit do not have to do anything to get this new help. It will be calculated and added to the benefit automatically.

Families on a low income who aren't getting either Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit and who think they might be newly entitled to these benefits should contact their local council for more details.

Secretary of State Yvette Cooper said: "We want to do more to help families who are working hard to get by during the recession. Already tax credits make sure families are better off in work, but this extra cash is a practical way to make sure the benefits from working are even stronger. And it will help cut child poverty too."

Further information

• Housing Benefit (money, tax and benefits section)

• Council Tax Benefit (money, tax and benefits section)

• Child Benefit (money, tax and benefits section)