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What we do with the information you give us when you use our Benefits team at Somerset Council

Your rightsPrivacy Notice

Your rights

You have specific rights in relation to the data that you provide to the council. To find out more, including how to make a request, please see our Information rights page.

Privacy Notice

Services covered by this privacy notice – Benefits

Purpose of the processing

The personal data you provide is used to enable the processing of housing benefit applications. This includes:

  • Housing benefit assessments and benefit subsidy claims.
  • Discretionary housing payments which includes sharing information with the Housing Options Team in relation to referrals for housing advice and homeless prevention.
  • Council tax reductions and residual council tax benefit. This includes dealing with customer contact, managing housing benefit appeals and facilitating the recovery of housing benefit overpayments through the courts.

Legal basis for processing personal data

Legal obligation
Public task

Categories of personal data being processed

  • Name
  • Address
  • Email Address
  • Phone number
  • National Insurance number
  • Financial information
  • Payment information
  • Family composition

Special categories of personal data being processed (if appropriate)

  • Ethnic origin (including nationality)
  • Health (mental or physical)
  • Sexual life or sexual orientation

Legal basis for processing special categories of personal data – Substantial public interest

Who the data might be shared with

  • Capita (as Data Processor)
  • Other council departments
  • Other local authorities
  • Central government
  • HMRC
  • Enforcement agents
  • County and magistrates courts

Data is also shared for the prevention and detection of crime, including fraud via the National Fraud Initiative.

How long will the data be kept for

6 years from year of collection

Last updated: February 22, 2024

Next review due: August 22, 2024

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