Housing and council tax benefit

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What are housing and council tax benefit?

Housing Benefit

If you are on a low income (whether you are working or not), you may be able to get Housing Benefit to help you pay your rent. Housing Benefit is based on the income, capital (savings, second home, bonds etc.), and the circumstances of you, your partner and your household.

Rental accommodation can include:

• a tenancy with a private landlord, letting agent, council or Housing Association
• lodgings
• shared ownership schemes
• caravan site charges
• mooring charges
• charges for adult placement or supported accommodation schemes (amongst others)

If you are living in a Registered Care Home or with a close relative, such as your parents it is likely that you will not qualify for Housing Benefit. We do not pay Housing Benefit to help pay a mortgage.

Council Tax Benefit

If you are liable for paying council tax (your name is on the bill), and are on a low income (whether you are working or not), you may be able to get help to pay your council tax.

Council Tax Benefit is based on the income, capital (savings, second home, bonds etc), and the circumstances of you, your partner and your household.

Unlike Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit is available to both those who are in rental accommodation and those with a mortgage.

Second Adult Rebate

If you are not entitled to Council Tax Benefit because your income or capital is too high, you may still be able to claim Second Adult Rebate (a reduction on your council tax).

Second Adult Rebate is calculated on the income of any other adults living in your property, not your income. You could receive up to 25% off your council tax bill if the other adults living in your home are on a low income.

The other adults sharing your home must not be:

• your partner
• under 18
• paying rent
• liable for the council tax
• a joint owner or joint tenant
• already disregarded for a discount on your council tax bill; for example you must not be getting a student discount of 25%

When you make a claim for Council Tax Benefit we will automatically decide whether or not you would be better off with ordinary Council Tax Benefit or Second Adult Rebate. You can also tell us if you only want to claim for Second Adult Rebate.

You can apply for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Second Adult Rebate on the same application form. There is no need for separate applications.

More information

Housing and Council Tax Benefit are assessed and paid to you by the council, but are based on rules set out by central government. If you want more information about Housing or Council Tax Benefit, please contact us or download the leaflets at www.benefits-leaftlets.org

Last updated: 23 January 2012