What is Housing Benefits and Council Tax support?

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

Council Tax support (CTS) is a local income-related discount to help households with low incomes to pay their Council Tax.  Read more about the local Council Tax support scheme.

Both can provide financial help for you if you are:

• Unemployed or unable to work (for example if you are claiming income support or jobseeker's allowance)
• Working but on a low income (for example if you claim tax credits or work-part-time), or
• In receipt of any other low income (for example, state pension, pension credits)

These benefits are different from any Council Tax discounts and exemptions that might also reduce the amount of Council Tax you pay.

If you need more information about other benefits such as income support, jobseeker's allowance and tax credits, visit the Gov website.