MORE families will be able to get help with paying their rent because of changes to benefit rules, says Newport Citizens Advice Bureau.

It is urging parents who receive child benefit and rent their homes, but presently do not get housing benefit, to check their entitlement again.

Some parents already receiving housing benefit will see an automatic rise while more people will become eligible for assistance with council tax bills as a result of the rule change.

From November 2, child benefit is no longer be taken into account when calculating entitlement to housing and council tax benefits, said the CAB.

Den Foley, director of the Newport branch, said they were seeing more and more families struggling to make ends meet and finding it increasingly hard to pay essential bills such as rent.

"Our calculations show that this change in the rules could make a huge difference to them."

He urged all parents to contact the CAB or the council's housing benefit department to find out if they qualify for extra help.

Newport CAB, 8, Corn Street, has drop-in sessions on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 9.30am and 1pm and on Friday 9.30am to 3pm.

There is also a drop-in service at 35 Commercial Road on Wednesday from 1pm to 3.30pm.

Telephone advice is available on Monday 12.30pm-3pm or Wednesday and Friday 10am-12.30pm. Call 01633 265688.