Benefits

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These pages provide information about Housing and Council Tax Benefit only. For information on all other benefits, please visit the website of the Department for Work and Pensions.

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.

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. You can claim Council Tax Benefit whether you rent or own your home, or live rent-free, and it does not matter if you already get a discount on your Council Tax, for example if you live alone.

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
• and the amount of rent and Council Tax you pay.

• 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.

Contact Us

Please see the Benefit Contact Information page for information regarding visiting us in person and requesting Home Visits