What is Housing Benefit?

Housing Benefit is an income-related benefit to help people on low incomes to pay their rent.

Who can claim?

Anyone who is in receipt of Income Support, Savings Credit or Job Seekers Allowance or on low income and has less than £16,000 capital can claim.  If you are in receipt of Guarantee Credit and have savings over £16,000 you may still be entitled.

You can claim Housing Benefit if you are:-

• A tenant renting from a Landlord or Housing Association
• A tenant renting via a 'share ownership scheme'
• Someone living in a hostel
• Someone living in a hotel
• Someone living in a mobile home
• A boarder whose rent includes meals

Housing Benefit can not help with mortgage payments

What is Council Tax Benefit?

Council Tax Benefit is an income-related benefit to help people pay their Council Tax. Council Tax Benefit can be in the form of main Council Tax Benefit or Second Adult Rebate.

You will be able to claim Council Tax Benefit if you are:

A home owner, liable to pay Council Tax for that home and residents there. If you are a tenant you will automatically be accessed for both Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

Second Adult Rebate is an alternative type of Council Tax Benefit

Council Tax Benefit and Second Adult Rebate cannot be paid together, you will only be granted whichever gives you greater.

You must be the only person who's liable to pay Council Tax in your home, but have another adult(s) living in your property over 18. (These adults are referred to 'second adults')

A 'second adult' is not your partner, or a joint owner or tenant living with you.

No other person must be paying rent to live in your home.

This benefit is based on the total gross income of the adults living with you. Your income and savings are not counted.

The maximum amount of second adult rebate that can be granted is 25% of your Council Tax liability.