Council Tax Benefit helps people on a low income who are having difficulty paying their Council Tax bill.
2nd Adult Rebate (2AR)
If you are solely liable for the Council Tax (that is if you are single or your partner is discounted for Council Tax) and you have other people living with you who are on a low income, you may qualify for Second Adult Rebate.
Housing Benefit helps people on a low income who are having difficulty paying the rent. This can be paid whether you rent from a housing association or private landlord and applies to rent on houses, flats or rooms.
Finding out about benefits: using the links shown on this page you will be able to quickly calculate whether you would be eligible for benefit before applying; download the claim form if you wish to apply and notify us of a change in your circumstances on line.
You can also find out more information from our range of leaflets; access further services from our list of key contacts and find out where you can get independent advice.
What you need to provide: Because we comply with the Benefits Verification Framework which helps to prevent fraud and error at the start of any claim, you will need to provide proof of your identity as shown in the leaflet ‘How you can help us establish your identity’ and original documents to support your claim, photo copies of the document cannot be accepted. Details of the information which we need to accompany your claim are shown in each section of the claim form.
Important Changes from 2 November 2009
Child Benefit
An important change is about to be made affecting all those with young families who claim Housing and Council Tax Benefit.
From 2 November 2009 Child Benefit will no longer be counted as income in the assessment of Housing and Council Tax Benefit. This means there will be a significant increase in the number of people who qualify for these benefits and families may have the potential for more disposable income.
Capital Limits
From the 2 November 2009, the capital amounts which affect benefits for those aged 60 years or over will increase from £6,000.01 to £10,000.01 (regardless of whether a person is permanently residing in a care home). People who fall into this category can therefore have more capital before it is used as assumed or notional income in assessment of Housing and Council Tax Benefit.
If you are in receipt of Pension Credit then the Pension and Disability Carers Service (PDCS) may contact you to review your claim for Pension Credit. If you have any changes to your award as a result of this, they should also inform the Benefit Section. We will then notify you of any changes to your Housing and Council Tax Benefit entitlement. If you receive a revised Pension Credit award letter please inform the Benefit Section.
For those people not in receipt of Pension Credit, your claim will be reassessed and notification will be issued to advise you of your new entitlement to Housing and Council Tax Benefit.
What does this mean?
Many families who have claimed Housing and Council Tax Benefit and were not entitled in the past, may now be able to receive extra financial help towards their rent and Council Tax charges. This will give greater financial support to families by increasing their income.
- Do you think you are one of these families?
- Have you recently claimed Housing or Council Tax Benefit but missed out because your income was too high?
- Perhaps you or your partner have recently lost your job and have not thought about help towards your rent or Council Tax.
- Are you a family with young children and have not claimed Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit because you did not think you would qualify?
The change to the capital limits mean that if you were previously not entitled due to your assumed tariff income you might now qualify.
What should you do?
Do I Qualify? - Quick Online Calculator - this is designed to help our customers to find out whether they might qualify for Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit.
To make a claim for Housing and Council Tax Benefit you can download an application form here Housing and Council Tax Benefit form or contact the council to request a claim form.
If you know of anyone who you think might qualify under the new rules, please ask them to contact the Benefit Section on 01284 757269.
