New benefit claims
NOTE: You do not need to complete a new Housing Benefit
and Council Tax Benefit claim form if you're already receiving
Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit and your circumstances
have changed. Report your change(s) using
the change of
circumstances form.
Who can claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit?
Housing Benefit: You can claim Housing Benefit
if you're a council tenant, private tenant, housing association
tenant; or sub-tenant or lodger.
You cannot get Housing Benefit if you or your partner have joint
savings and investments of more than £16,000, pay rent to a close
relative who lives in the same home as you, or you own
the place where you live.
Council Tax Benefit: You can claim Council Tax
Benefit if you or your partner pay Council Tax for the home you
live in - even if you own it.
The amount you get is based on your income and
circumstances. You can even get benefit if you or your
partner work.
You cannot get Council Tax Benefit if you or your partner have
joint savings and investments over £16,000, you're
not responsible for paying the Council Tax bil, you're under
18 years of age.
Second Adult Rebate: There's also another type
of Council Tax Benefit that you could get instead of normal
Council Tax Benefit; this is known as Second Adult Rebate.
Second adult rebate is based on the income and circumstances of
other adults (not including your partner) who live in your
household.
This may be awarded if your income is too high to get normal
Council Tax Benefit but another adult in your household has a low
income, for example, receives Income Support.
The maximum second adult rebate that can be awarded is
restricted to 25% of your total Council Tax bill.
Where you've applied for both normal Council Tax Benefit and
second adult rebate we'll work out and award whichever benefit
results in the highest award. However, you can apply for second
adult rebate only if you wish.
How to claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit
What evidence will I be asked for?
When you make a claim for Housing and Council Tax benefit you'll
be asked to provide evidences to support your claim. At the
end of the online claim form you'll be given a list of what you
need to provide. Details are also available in
our Benefit FAQs.
How do I fast-track my claim for Housing Benefit and Council
Tax Benefit?
Find out how to get your Housing Benefit
and Council Tax Benefit claim fast-tracked.
Need advice and assistance?
Find out where to get help with completing
your form.