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.
Increase to Child Benefit from January 2009
With affect from 1 January 2009 Child Benefit for the first child increased to £20.00 per week and each subsequent child to £13.20. The increase has been brought forward from April.
How will this affect Housing and Council Tax Benefit?
A temporary disregard will be in place until April 2009 when the normal annual uprating takes place.
The proposed full disregard of Child Benefit in October 2009 is unaffected.
