Guide to Benefits

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Housing and Council Tax Benefits are means tested national welfare benefits to help those on a low income pay their rent and Council Tax.  Means tested means that the benefit you qualify for depends on your household income and circumstances.

Housing Benefit is sometimes called rent rebate or rent allowance. Council Tax Benefit is sometimes called Council Tax rebate.  You do not have to get any other benefits and you may get it if you are in or out of work.

You can claim Housing Benefit if you pay rent to:

• the council
• a housing association or
• a private landlord.

You can claim Council Tax Benefit if you are the person who is liable to pay Council Tax.  This means that your name is on the Council Tax bill.  

• You can claim Council Tax Benefit whether you rent or own your home, or live rent-free
• It does not matter if you already get a discount on your Council Tax, for example if you live alone.
• If you are a full-time student and the only adult over 18 you will not usually have to pay Council Tax.

Other ways to get a reduction in your Council Tax bill is if you qualify for any discounts or exemptions.  Please visit the Cuncil Tax section of the website, or call Council Tax on 020 8547 5196 to find out more information.  When you call please have your Council Tax account number ready.

The amount of Housing and Council Tax benefit you would qualify for depends on:

• your income (and that of your partner if you have one)
• your personal circumstances
• if any other adults (apart from partners) live with you
• the amount of rent and Council Tax you pay.

Generally, the Council will work out benefit on the full rent for council and housing association tenants. There are different rules for private tenants and the Council may not calculate Housing Benefit on your full rent.

Some things to remember:

• Unless you are aged 60 or over and get the guarantee credit of Pension Credit, total savings over £16,000 (for you and your partner) mean you cannot get Housing and Council Tax benefit.
• Savings over £6,000 affect how much Housing and Council Tax benefit you can get.
• There are special rules if you are single and aged under 25 years.
• If you have come to the United Kingdom (UK) within two years of your claim, this may affect Housing and Council Tax benefit
• Most asylum seekers and people who are sponsored to be in the UK cannot get Housing and Council Tax benefit.
• You cannot get Housing Benefit if you live in a close relative's household. A close relative is a:
  • parent
  • step-parent
  • father-in-law or mother-in-law
  • child
  • step-child
  • son-in-law or daughter-in-law
  • brother or sister
  • brother-in-law or sister-in-law
  • partner of any of the above.
• You cannot usually get Housing Benefit if you are a full-time student, unless you are disabled, have a non student partner or have children.
• You cannot get Housing Benefit if you pay rent to your ex-partner if you have separated and you have remained in the former joint home. This applies whether you were a married or unmarried couple.
• You cannot get Housing Benefit if you or your partner are responsible for a child and your landlord is a parent of that child.