AN online calculator telling Colchester residents what benefits they are entitled to has been launched.

Colchester Council has updated the revenues and benefits section of its website to encourage more people to use it.

The authority will save money if it can get claimants to use it instead of visiting in person or phoning.

New online benefit applications for housing and council tax will be introduced in October.

The council said the calculator would stop the one in four applicants who were not eligible for help with rent or council tax from making an unnecessary claim.

Paul Smith, councillor responsible for resources, said there had been a 140 per cent increase in the workload of the service since the economic downturn in 2008.

He said: “The benefits service has seen a significant increase in activity, with the time spent by officers in direct customer contact doubling.

“This is because some residents are attempting to access benefits for the first time due to a change of circumstances. They have many questions and concerns about the process and their eligibility.

The introduction of the calculator facility on our website before a form is completed should help ensure any new or existing claimants who have experienced a change in circumstances do not waste time putting in claims they are not eligible to receive.”

A report to councillors earlier this year suggested the new system would cut the number of staff employed and could save £450,000 a year.