A MAJOR project to co-ordinate efforts to tackle the looming recession has been launched by Waverley Borough Council.

Every one of the borough's 116,000 residents, community organisations and businesses is to be

targeted in the Don't Lose Your Home Or Business initiative, which covers financial advice and fuel poverty.

Since April, 120 extra households have claimed benefits from the council, which is expected to rise as the credit crunch bites.

The aim of the campaign, co-ordinating with Citizens Advice, Business Link Surrey, Waverley Business Forum and Enterprise First, is to offer a comprehensive telephone and face-to-face advice service for those that are, or likely to be, affected by money problems.

Practical measures include making sure people are claiming all the benefits they are entitled to, such as Council Tax Benefit for the unemployed and Housing Benefit for people living in rented homes, free leisure and bus passes, as well as Department of Work and Pensions benefits.

Business rate payments can be rescheduled into instalments and council tax arrears can be negotiated. Small business can also claim Business Rate Relief.

Richard Gates, leader of the council, said: "Benefits are a right, not a charity, and people are entitled to them.

"There is a degree of means testing, that is unavoidable in order to

qualify, but that should not put people off."

Deputy chief executive Paul Wenham said: "We work with the department of Work and Pensions who pass people through, but there is more to be done.

"Some people have never been unemployed before,

so it is a shock to them. Ultimately the costs to the community, as well as the individual, are immense."

Sixty per cent of Council Tax Benefit claims come from people aged over 60, but there are many younger people on low incomes and more facing unemployment.

Although this part of Surrey is seen as an affluent area, Waverley administers £25 million a year in Council Tax and Housing Benefit, and there are 9,400 claims.

While there is no increase in people falling behind in Council Tax payments as yet, January and February are crucial times as credit card bills arrive after the Christmas festivities.

Robert Fox, head of benefits at Waverley, said: "A lot of people will be new to the benefits system, but in most cases, we can process claims in three to five working days if people provide all the information we need."

* MP Jeremy Hunt will be holding a series of forums for members of the public. The first of the 'Any Questions' events is being held at the Barley Rooms, Farnham Maltings today (Friday)‚ from 6pm-7pm, followed by Haslemere Museum on November 27, from 6pm-7pm and on December 11 at Godalming Baptist Church, 7.30pm-8.30pm.