Home > Living > Benefits & Council Tax > Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit - information to help you

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit - information to help you

Housing benefit

Housing benefit is to help people on low income who pay rent for where they live You can claim if you live in privately rented, local authority or housing association accommodation. Housing benefit is a means-tested benefit.

You can submit an application for housing benefit if you are liable to pay rent for the accommodation that you live in. It can only help with the rent you pay. We cannot give you any help towards charges for water, heating and certain other charges such as those for washing your own clothes or cleaning your room or flat. You must pay these.

Council tax benefit

This provides help with your council tax and it is a means tested benefit. It is paid by us to people who need help to pay their council tax. For more information about council tax use the link to the right.

Before you make your claim

Housing and Council Tax Benefit calculator
How do I claim for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit?
Who can't claim Housing Benefit?
The Rent Service - what they do
Payment direct to your bank account

When you are claiming

Payment direct to your bank account
What happens if my benefit is overpaid?
What happens if my circumstances change?
If you think the decision about your Housing or Council Tax Benefit is wrong
Requesting the backdating of your Housing or Council Tax Benefit Claim

More information

Local Housing Allowance - information for private tenants
Housing Benefit & Council Tax Benefit forms and leaflets
Temporary absence
Claiming benefit on two homes
Discretionery Housing payments
Extended Benefit payments
Housing & Council Tax Benefit for Students
Council tax benefit & second adult rebate

---