Council Tax Benefit

Sunday, 08 February 2009 13:50

If you need financial help to pay your Council Tax bill, you may be able to get Council Tax Benefit. You may also get Second Adult Rebate if you share your home with another adult (not your partner or civil partner) who's unable to pay towards the Council Tax.

Who is Eligible?

You may get Council Tax Benefit if you pay Council Tax and your income and capital (savings and investments) are below a certain level.

Who isn't Eligible?

If you have savings of over £16,000 you can't normally get Council Tax Benefit, unless you're aged 60 or over and getting the 'guarantee credit' of Pension Credit.

If you think you may be eligible for Council Tax benefit, the link below will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more.

Check your eligibility for Council Tax Benefit with your local council

How much do you get?

To work out your Council Tax Benefit, your local council will look at:

money you and your partner or civil partner have coming in, including earnings, some benefits and tax credits and things like occupational pensions
your savings and your partner's or civil partner's savings

your circumstances: for example your age, the size of your family and their ages, if you or any of your family are disabled, and if anyone who lives with you could help with the rent

The most Council Tax Benefit you can get is 100 per cent reduction on your bill.

If you're entitled to Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or the 'guarantee credit' of Pension Credit you could get maximum help with your Council Tax.

Effect on other financial help

Council Tax Benefit won't affect other benefits you get.

How to claim

If you're already claiming other benefits:

You'll get a form to claim Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit if you're claiming any of the following benefits:

* Pension Credit
* Employment and Support Allowance
* Income Support
* Jobseeker's Allowance

You should complete and return the forms to your local council.

If you're not claiming other benefits:

If you don't claim Pension Credit, Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance you can get a form for Council Tax Benefit, Second Adult Rebate and Housing Benefit from your local council.