Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit

The benefits we pay are based on a person's individual circumstances, and follow the rules set down by Parliament and the Council.

What is Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit?

Housing and Council Tax Benefit is a Government Scheme run by Local Authorities (Councils) to help people on low incomes to pay for their rent and Council Tax.

Who Can Claim?

• Anyone who has to pay rent for their home can claim Housing Benefit.
• Anyone who is liable to pay Council Tax can claim Council Tax Benefit.
• You can claim Housing and Council Tax Benefit even if you are working
• You don't need to have made any National Insurance contributions
• You can still claim Housing and Council Tax Benefit even if you are not getting any other benefits

You can live in a:

• Housing Association property
• Shared ownership property
• House that you own or are buying
• Privately rented accommodation
• Hostel
• Hotel
• Guest house or other similar accommodation
• Other types of rented accommodation (except most residential care or nursing homes

Housing  Benefit is NOT available if you:

• Have capital or savings of £16,000 or more (unless you are in receipt of Pension Credit Guarantee)
• Are in a co-ownership scheme (not shared ownership)
• Own your own home or are buying it
• Are in a nursing home or residential care home
• Are a full time student in higher education (unless you are in an exempt category e.g. single parent) more details of eligible students can be found at www.benefit-leaflets.org
• Live in the same household as, and have to pay rent, to a close relative, in-law or employer

If you are not entitled to Housing Benefit but are still liable to pay Council Tax, you may be entitled to claim Council Tax Benefit.

Council Tax Benefit is NOT available if you:

• Have capital or savings of £16,000 or more (unless you are in receipt of Pension Credit Guarantee)
• Are in a nursing home or residential care home
• Are a full time student in higher education (unless you are in an exempt category as above)

How Much Will I Get?

To work out your entitlement, we will look at the following:

• The money that you and your partner have coming in, including earnings, some benefits and tax credits and things like occupational pensions
• Any capital that you and your partner may have including any current accounts.
• Your circumstances, such as:
  • your age
  • the size of the family you have and the ages of your children
  • whether you or any members of your family are disabled,
  • whether you have anyone else living with you
• If you rent from a private landlord, we will also check that:
  • your rent is reasonable for your home
  • your home is a reasonable size for you and your family
  • the amount of rent is reasonable for the area that you live in

You can estimate any Benefits due to you by using the Benefits Calculator but for a full evaluation make a formal claim ASAP.

How Do I Claim?

To claim Housing  and Council Tax Benefit you will need to complete an application form  (248.61 KB) and provide the documentation to support your claim.

Please make sure that you complete  the form and enclose/bring all evidence requested (originals only) or it may delay your claim.

When Will My Benefit Start?

Benefit is normally paid from the Monday following the date that an application form is received by the Council. There is a provision for backdating Benefit in certain circumstances-see backdating.

How Your Claim Will Be Dealt With

We aim to pay your benefit within 14 days but this may not always be possible at busy times.

If you do not provide all the evidence requested it will delay your claim being processed.

When your claim has been dealt with you will receive letters telling you how much benefit we will be paying you.

For more information a leaflet as available on www.benefit-leaflets .org if you are of working age or www.benefits leaflets.org  if you are a pensioner

or a copy of the Housing Benefit Guidance manual can be found on the DWP website

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