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  Autumn 2009   Even though we thought we'd bullet-proofed our BenCalcs ready for the CB disregard, the new November capital threshold in pensioner HB/CTB means that we will clearly have to make fresh versions available during October (or earlier on demand) - so expect to hear from us shortly.

  July 2009   Both "extra plain" WebBenCalc versions now successfully check as XHTML 1.0 Strict ! And they have received a cosmetic tweek to stop some input boxes floating in wrong order if the page is squeezed. Also, a slight logic improvement now issued for the LHA Bedroom Calculator - contact us for new download links.   Spring 2009 release   was distributed in March. Again this year, in most instances, we attempted initial delivery by personal download invitation. We send you an email with a URL (Web address) link - double click on it and it should let you "Save" our release file(s) off of some of our webspace. For the LHA , we distributed a separate bedroom entitlement web page as a distinct module so it doesn't detract from the inherent simplicity of the WebBenCalc or confuse claimants who don't need one. So cast your runes with our LHA 5 Bedroom Category Calculator !

Autumn 2008  ESA - it ain't EASY !  Employment Support Allowance (ESA) has totally random impacts all over the HB/CTB scheme. So much so that our calculator programs have needed extensive modification and testing. We will make amended calculators available for download (off the same link as your Spring 2008 release) before the end of October 2008. Sadly the changes wrought by ESA are so many that a full re-installation is going to be necessary (and much quicker for you). We can't issue amendment instructions to edit the previous WebBenCalc version as they would be a complete nightmare to implement - sorry about that. As the actual impact on customers should be fairly negligible before February 2009, we imagine some LA's will prefer to wait for it until the Spring 2009 release. We anticipate considerable ESA confusion and contention so email your queries by all means, but we may not respond immediately as we plan to review the whole ESA situation in December.

 April 2008  and the Local Housing Allowance kicked in - where some teething troubles inevitably arise. We, perhaps naively, assumed from examples on the DWP website that LHA rates would be published as weekly figures. Some authorities are also publishing monthly figures which is fine, but the WebBenCalc program is looking for a weekly figure in the LHA field - as long as you enter a weekly figure there then the calculation is right so an extra "weekly" might need inserting in the LHA question text to emphasise that point.


Spring 2007 release was distributed towards the end of March. Last year we achieved many difficult deliveries by download. This method is increasingly effective as so many email attachments get stuck on firewalls or simply vanish into thin air !  So this year, in most instances, we attempted initial delivery by personal download invitation. We sent an email with a URL (Web address) link - double click on it and it should let you "Save" our release file(s) off of some of our webspace.

  Autumn (October) 2006   Staff holiday commitments mean a slightly modified support structure in the 3rd & 4th weeks of October this year - we should be able to respond to most emails within 24 hours but, with Keith away, technical queries may get delayed, so submit them now or wait until November.  Spring 2006 release was distributed towards the end of March 2006. If you haven't got it yet - get in touch quick !  NB Now in 2006, the "WebBenCalc" comes in 3 exciting flavours - see more details on our WebBenCalc page.

  Autumn (October) 2005   Staff holiday commitments mean a slightly modified support structure this October - we should be able to respond to emails within 24 hours. This update is available "on demand" so do request it if you want to install now.  Spring 2005 release
 Distributed in the week before Easter 2005, this current release features extensive uprating and enhancements for the "WebBenCalc", the Quick (Desktop) Benefits Calculator, the "House of Benefits" and especially the new web-enabled transition phasing projection part of our BR system (more details on our NDR page). We've done some extensive background work on the WebBenCalc lately to eliminate any Bobby Priority 1 & 2 Accessibility errors. We contend that the wbc satisfies the Priority 1 & 2 Accessibility User Checks and the HTML is w3.org validated. 
Autumn 2004
- No formal release this October as (thank heavens) no HB parameters appear to have changed. For both Benefits Calculators (the "Web" and the Desktop), we've amended the logic to cater for offsetting the unused balance of Childcare costs against the Tax Credits when Childcare costs exceed net earnings (after disregards). For the Quick (Desktop) Benefits Calculator we've incorporated the latest upratings for student figures and National Savings valuations. 
Our programs are now running in (or at) over 250 Public Authorities and private Housing Associations.....but (unfortunately) in no Public Houses, as far as we are aware.
 
Summer 2003 - In response to popular demand we released a mini "day counter" program free to all our customers. Select the desired "Start - Stop dates" and it will sum the number of days across a range of financial years - very useful for many Revenues purposes. Get a copy from the link on our home page.
Spring 2003 - features automatic in-line Tax Credit calculation (if appropriate) for the new Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit  and Pension Credit.

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