If you have a low income or you receive certain types of benefit, you may be entitled to claim Housing Benefit and / or Council Tax Benefit. You can make a claim whilst working if your circumstances require you to do so.

Help with your Council Tax bill

There are 2 types of help we may be able to give you with your council tax bill which is outside of any other discounts or exemptions you may be awarded. 

Who can claim council tax benefit?

You can claim Council Tax Benefit if you are in receipt of any welfare benefits or if you are working, and in receipt of a low income. Council Tax Benefit can be claimed if you are liable to pay Council Tax at the address you live. It is calculated by taking into account your income, capital and household circumstances. You will need to complete an application form and provide evidence of your identification and income. 

If you live on your own, you should apply for the single person discount of 25%. If your income is too high to qualify for Council Tax Benefit, you may be eligible for discounts for other adults who live in the property.

If you are a joint tenant or live at the address with another joint owner, you will only be able to claim Council Tax Benefit for a proportion of the overall bill. Anyone named on the bill will be liable to pay the full amount if requested unless the person you live with is someone you live with as husband or wife or civil partner. If you are a couple, you must make a claim for Council Tax Benefit as a couple and your benefit will be based on your household circumstances.

Who can't claim for Council Tax Benefit?

In general, you will not be eligible to make a claim for Council Tax Benefit if;

• You are not a liable party for Council Tax at the address
• You are not a resident at the property
• You have £16,000 or more in capital, including second properties, shares and investments
• You have recently come to live in the UK (there are exceptions to this rule)
• You are a student (but in some cases you would be eligible for a student exemption)
• You live in a house of multiple occupation (bedsits) in which case your landlord will be considered liable and may charge you an amount for Council Tax which should be included in your rent for which you may claim Housing Benefit or Local Housing Allowance
• If you are not sure if you are eligible to claim Council Tax Benefit, contact us.

Alternative Maximum Benefit

In some cases, people who would not be entitled to Main Council Tax Benefit can apply for Alternative Maximum Benefit, commonly called Second Adult Rebate. In order to claim Second Adult Rebate, you need to be the sole person liable for Council Tax at the address and must have other adults living with you who are on a low income. You will need to complete an application form and provide evidence of your identification and income.  

Who can't claim Second Adult Rebate?

In general, you will not be eligible for Second Adult Rebate if:

• You are not the sole liable party for Council Tax at the address
• Any of the other adults living at the property are your husband, wife or civil partner or living together as though they are unless they are disregarded for Council Tax purposes
• Any one else living at the property is liable for Council Tax such as a joint owner or joint tenants
• Anyone pays you rent to live in your home such as a boarder or sub tenant