Claim council tax benefit

Council Tax Benefit helps people on low incomes pay their Council Tax. We work out your benefit by taking into account your income, investments and savings.

There are two types of Council Tax Benefit.

• Main Council Tax Benefit
• Second Adult Rebate

Applying for Council Tax Benefit

You can apply for Council Tax Benefit at any of our Customer Service Centres across the borough.

• Customer Service Centres

Fast track

If you visit any Customer Service Centre with all the information necessary, your claim can be fast-tracked and will be assessed within 3 working days.

Appointment

If you do not have all the information you need, you can book an assessment appointment by visiting any Customer Service Centre. The appointment will be in the Municipal Offices in Rochdale. You will be advised what information you need to bring to complete your claim. Appointments will be provided within 5 working days.

Application form

If you cannot gather your evidence in advance or attend an appointment you can claim using our application form. The form can be returned to a Customer Service Centre or in the post.

Information you need to provide

To complete your application we need to see proof of your:

• Identity and National Insurance Number

  • If you work we need two lots of identification, like your passport, birth certificate, recent utility bill and proof of your National Insurance Number
  • If you get state benefits we need the DWP award letter and proof of your National Insurance Number
  • For any children, we need proof of the child benefit you get
  • For other adult residents we need proof of their National Insurance Number
    

• Proof of income

  • If you work we need 5 weekly or 2 monthly consecutive wage slips or a certificate of earnings completed by your employer
  • If you get benefits we need the  DWP award letter or current bank statement showing benefit payments   
  • If you are a student we need proof of student loan and grants received
  • If you are self employed we need 12 months profit and loss accounts
  • For other adult residents aged over 18, we need proof of their income, as described above
    

• Proof of other income and expenditure

  • If you get tax credits we need your most recent award letter
  • We need proof of any childcare costs you pay to a nursery or registered childminder
  • If you get maintenance payments, we need a letter from the person confirming the amount and method of payment
  • We need written confirmation of the amount and frequency of rent payable from any boarder or subtenant
  • If you get a private pension we need proof from the provider which confirms the amount and frequency of the payments
    

• Proof of capital

  • We need the last two month's statements for all bank accounts held
  • We need updated account books for all building society accounts held
  • We need details of any properties owned

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