What is Housing Benefit?
Housing Benefit is a national welfare benefit, which helps people on a low income pay their rent.
What is council tax benefit?
Council Tax Benefits is a national welfare benefit, which helps people on a low income pay their council tax.
What is second adult rebate?
Second Adult Rebate is a type of Council Tax Benefit that is available to council tax payers who share their home with someone, who is on a low income and is not a partner or a paying lodger. The level of the council tax payer’s income and savings is irrelevant.
Who can claim these benefits?
You can claim Housing Benefit if you pay rent to a Housing Association or for a Council property, Local Housing Allowance if you pay rent to a private landlord and Council Tax Benefit if you pay council tax on your home. If you rent your home and you pay council tax, you can claim both benefits.
How do I claim?
You can claim by completing one of our application forms. Before you send the form to us, make sure you have read the form carefully and answered all the questions fully even those that you think do not apply to you. Check that you have signed all the pages where you are required to sign, and that you have included all the evidence and proofs we ask for.
What if I need help claiming?
If you require help with completing the claim form please contact our office on 023 8083 2031 where we may be able to help you either over the phone or arrange a home visit from one of our staff. Alternatively you can visit Gateway or any Local Houisng Office.
When should I claim?
You must claim as soon as you are aware that you may require assistance with paying your rent and/or council tax. If you do not have all the proofs necessary to support your claim, do not delay in making your application. You may lose benefit if you delay.
What proofs do I need?
There are various types of documents you need to provide with your application for benefit. If you do not have all the requested proofs, do not delay in making your application. Provide the proofs you have available and any outstanding proofs can be provided as soon as they become available.
How is benefit calculated?
Housing and council tax benefits are 'means tested' which means we take into account all the income and capital you receive to see how much benefit you would be entitled to.
What happens if I have been paid too much benefit?
We may have to recalculate your benefit if there has been a change in your circumstances or if a mistake has been identified. If you are awarded Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit and your entitlement is amended at a later date, there will be an overpayment. An overpayment will usually occur if there has been a delay between the date of the change and the date it has been reported. If you have been overpaid any Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit, you will be asked to pay this back.
What if I disagree with the decision?
When we have worked out how much benefit you are entitled to, we will write to you with details If you disagree with our decision...
What if my circumstances change?
If your circumstances change after you have claimed benefit, you must tell us straight away. If you do not report any changes within one month of them occurring, you may lose out on money you are entitled to, or we may pay you too much which you will have to pay back.
What happens if I have been paid too much benefit?
We may have to recalculate your benefit if there has been a change in your circumstances or if a mistake has been identified. If you are awarded Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit and your entitlement is amended at a later date, there will be an overpayment. An overpayment will usually occur if there has been a delay between the date of the change and the date it has been reported. If you have been overpaid any Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit, you will be asked to pay this back.
Where can I get further help and advice?
This page gives details of where to go to get advice.
Additional help that may be claimed
There is further financial assistance that you may be entitled to.
Fraud
It's our money that is being stolen. The government estimates that £600 million is lost through Housing and Council Tax Benefit fraud each year and this money could be put to better use providing better services for us all. Everyone is a victim of Benefit fraud.
What's New?
Recent changes to Housing Benefit Legislation.
Last updated: 9 December 2008
