Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Service

Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit can help you meet the cost of your rent. You may qualify for benefit if you are on low income and your savings (joint savings if you have a partner) are £16,000.00 or less. Even if you and your partner's savings or income are too high you may still be entitled to some Council Tax Benefit (but not Housing Benefit) if there are other adults on low incomes living with you.

Council Tax Benefit

Council Tax Benefit could help pay towards some, or all, of your Council Tax bill if you are on a low income, even if you own your own home.

The maximum amount of Council Tax Benefit payable is 100% of the charge. The amount you will get will depend on your individual circumstances. This will include your age and whether you live alone.  Your Council Tax Benefit will normally be deducted from the Council Tax bill that we send you.

You can download some useful information leaflets on Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit here: www.benefit-leaflets.org

Making a claim

You can get more information about Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit by visiting Directgov.  If you make a claim for Pension Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance you will be invited to also claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

You may also be entitled to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit if you are working and your earnings are low enough. If you are working and getting a low income that is not a welfare benefit, you must claim from the Council.