Benefit FAQs
Here you'll find answers to the most popular questions
asked when claiming Housing Benefit and Council Tax
Benefit.
How do I claim Housing and Council Tax Benefit?
See our page called Claim
benefits.
How do I report a change of circumstance?
To report a change of circumstance eg change of address, move
back into work see our page called Changes
to your circumstances.
Where can I get help to complete the form?
See our page called Need help with your
claim?
What information/proof do I need to provide?
You'll need to provide your last:
- 5 pay slips - if you're paid weekly;
- 3 pay slips - if you're paid fortnightly;
or
- 2 pay slips - if you're paid monthly.
If you've just started work and not yet been paid, ask your
employer to provide an estimate of your gross earnings, Income Tax
and National Insurance deductions. We'll use this information
to work out your benefit until you get your
wageslips.
If you don't get wageslips you can ask your employer to
fill in a certificate of earnings form:
You'll also need to provide:
- Proof of all capital, savings and investments, we'll need
to see the latest 2 months statements for all accounts
held;
- Details of other benefits you get for
example, tax credits, we don't need proof as we'll
contact the relevant department on your behalf; and
- Proof of any other income you get for example, work or private
pensions, maintenance from a former partner or student loan.
If you rent from a private landlord or housing
association you'll also need to provide proof of rent.
You'll need to provide your tenancy agreement, rent book or a
letter from your landlord confirming:
- Your name and address;
- Your landlord's or agent's name and business address;
- The date your tenancy started;
- The amount of rent you're charged;
- What's included in your rent for example, fuel, water, meals
and other support services; and
- How often your rent is due.
If you're self-employed you'll need to
provide your:
- Most recent accounts or day books. If this is a new
business we'll require a figure of projected earnings over
a 13 week period.
If you don't have your most recent accounts or day books we have
a separate self-employed proforma to complete:
You'll also need to provide:
- Proof of all capital, savings and investments, we'll need
to see the latest 2 months statement for all accounts
held;
- Details of other benefits you get for
example, tax credits, we don't need proof as we'll
contact the relevant department on your behalf; and
- Proof of any other income you get for example, work or private
pensions, maintenance from a former partner or student loan.
Does the amount of capital, savings or investments I have
affect my claim?
Yes it does, if you and your partner have joint capital of more
than £16,000 you'll not normally be able to get benefit.
- If you're under 60 years of age: A tariff of
£1 will be applied for every £250 between £6,000 and £16,000 when
we work out entitlement to benefit, ie: for every £250 above £6,000
we say you've an extra £1 of income per week.
- If you're over 60 years of age: A tariff of £1
will be applied for every £500 between £10,000 and
£16,000 when we work out entitlement to benefit, ie: for every
£500 above £10,000 we say you've an extra £1 of income per
week.
- Capital includes cash, current accounts, other bank/building
society/post office accounts, unit trusts, ISAs, TESSAs, National
Savings Certificates, shares, premium bonds and property (other
than the home you live in) or land you own.
What happens if somebody aged 18 or over other than my
partner lives with me?
Your benefit may be reduced if somebody aged 18 or
over, other than your partner, lives with you, such as a grown up
son, daughter or family friend.
You'll need to provide proof of their income/earnings or if
they're at college or university you'll need to provide proof of
this also.
The amount that will be deducted will depend on their income and
circumstances.
When will benefit be paid from?
Benefit is normally paid from the Monday after
we get your claim form. It's important you submit your
claim form to us straightaway as any delay may result in you
losing benefit, please don't wait until you've all the proof needed
to support your claim.
Can my claim be backdated?
Yes, but there's different rules depending on your age.
Under 60 years of age - Housing
Benefit can be backdated for up to 6 months.
Backdate requests must be made in writing, and show that you had
continuous good cause for not claiming earlier (ie: tell us
why you couldn't claim earlier). You can request backdated
benefit on the Housing Benefit claim form or:
Over 60 years of age - Housing Benefit can be
backdated for up to 3 months. We normally do
this automatically. But, can only do this if you had
to pay rent for this period and are entitled to claim. If this
is the case, we'll write to you to ask for further details if we
don't have them.
If we don't start your claim from 3 months before you
made the claim, contact us.
What rent will you use to work out my benefit? (Private tenants
only)
a) Registered Social Landlords (for
example, Housing Associations, Guiness Northern
Counties etc)
If you're a housing association tenant, we normally base
your benefit entitlement on the rent that you're charged (less
any services not covered by Housing Benefit, for example water
rates).
b) Residents in other private rented
accommodation
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is a new rent assessment scheme
for tenants who rent from private landlords. The level of
rent used to work out your Housing Benefit under Local Housing
Allowance is set by the government for the area in which
you live. The number of people in your household will also
affect the rent used to assess your Housing Benefit under the Local
Housing Allowance scheme.
Housing Benefit entitlement still depends on your income,
how many people in your property and any savings you
have.
More information and current Local Housing Allowance rates
can be found at Local Housing Allowance -
Bite size.
Important changes to the LHA scheme from
1 April 2011
How long is Housing Benefit paid for?
Housing Benefit is paid for as long as entitlement
remains. Occasionally we'll need to confirm details of your
claim and we'll contact you where this is necessary or we may
arrange to visit. Please remember to advise us of any change
to your circumstances for example, change in income, someone moving
in/out etc.
Further details on change in circumstances can be found at
Changes to your circumstances.
How will Housing Benefit be paid?
Tenants of Rochdale Boroughwide
Housing - your benefit will be paid weekly into your
rent account.
Tenants of housing associations - your benefit
can be paid in various ways - for more
information, contact us.
Other private landlords - Under LHA rules,
the tenant no longer has the option for us to pay their landlord
direct (unless you're more than 8 weeks in arrears
or you're considered to be unable to manage your own
payments).
How much Council Tax Benefit can I get?
You may be able to get Council Tax Benefit for the full amount
of Council Tax that you have to pay. This will depend on your
income and whether any other adults (other than your partner)
living in your household. You can calculate
and claim benefit now.
Any Council Tax Benefit you get will be paid direct to your
Council Tax account and will clearly be shown on your
bill.
Do I have to renew my claim for Council Tax Benefit?
No. Council Tax Benefit is awarded for as long as
entitlement remains. Ocassionally we'll need to confirm
details of your claim and we'll contact you if this is
necessary or we may arrange to visit. Please remember to
advise us of any change to your circumstances, for example, a
change in income, someone moving in/out etc.
Further details on change in circumstances can be found at
Changes to your circumstances.
What happens when you receive my claim?
Once you've completed the form you'll be asked
for some information to support your claim. You can post this
into us at the contact details on this page or bring in
all the necessary information to any of our Customer Service Centres. Find out
how to fast-track your claim
and what information you need to
provide.
When we receive your claim form we'll check the form and the
proof you've provided.
If we've received all the information we need we'll process
your claim and inform you of the outcome of your claim.
If we need you to provide more information we'll write to you
again. You'll have one calendar month to provide us with any
additional information that we request or for you to advise us when
the information will be available. Failure to provide
additional information or failure to contact to advise that the
information is delayed may result in your claim not being
processed.