HOUSING & COUNCIL TAX
BENEFIT
An
Introduction
Housing Benefit - what
is it?
Housing costs form a large part of
most people's expenses. If you do not own your own property, then
you will probably be liable to pay rent. If you have a low income,
then Housing Benefit may help.
Housing Benefit cannot help with
day-to-day costs. If your rent includes things like food, water
charges, personal laundry or heating (other than for communal
areas), then these will not be included in your Housing
Benefit.
Housing Benefit is paid by the Local
Council and you do not necssarily have to get other benefits to
qualify for it. If you have a low income and are liable to pay
rent, then you should make a claim!
Council Tax Benefit - what
is it?
Council Tax benefit is there to help
with payment of your Council Tax and any of the persons named on
the Council Tax bill can claim.
It is paid by the Local Council and
any amount awarded is deducted from your Council Tax account
together with any appropriate
discounts that you may qualify
for.
You do not necessarily have to get
other benefits to qualify, so if you have a low income and are
liable to pay Council Tax, then you should make a claim!
Second Adult Rebate
Second Adult Rebate is another way
to help you pay less Council Tax. It is not based on the money you
have, but on the money other people who live with you have.
You may be able to get it if there
are other people living in your home who are on a low income or
Income Support.
In order to be classed as a Second
adult, the Second Adult Must Not
be:
- Liable for Council Tax
- A joint owner or tenant with you
- Living with you as your married or unmarried
partner
You will need to make a claim for Second Adult
Rebate unless you have already claimed Council Tax Benefit.
The gross income of the second adult will be taken into account
when assessing entitlement to Second Adult Rebate.
The maximum amount that can be awarded is 25% of the Council
Tax bill.
Find out more about
any of these benefits