A Guide to Housing Benefit and Local Council Tax Reduction

Anyone who has to pay rent can apply for Housing Benefit, even if you are in work and on a low income.

In some cases, even though someone has to pay rent, they are not always entitled to Housing Benefit. For example when someone:

• Lives with a close relative, who is also the landlord
• Sets up a tenancy in order to take advantage of the Housing Benefit scheme e.g. on a non-commercial basis
• Has income which is too high to qualify
• Has capital or savings in excess of £16,000
• Falls into categories which are excluded from claiming eg. certain students.

Anyone who has a liability to pay Council Tax can apply for Local Council Tax Reduction, even if you already get a discount on your Council Tax i.e. if you live alone.

You can claim even if you work and have a low income.

In some cases, even though you have a liability to pay council tax you would not be entitled to Local Council Tax Reduction. For example when someone:

• Has income which is too high to qualify
• A working age customer has capital or savings in excess of £6,000

To find out how to make a claim, click How to Claim below:

Please visit our On-Line resource on how to claim by following this link

Use the on-line calculator to estimate how much benefit you may be entitled to.

To find out what other benefits you may be entitled to, visit the Direct Gov website or call the benefits helpline number on 01543-464292.