Housing Benefit & Council Tax Benefit
The Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit scheme is run by local councils on behalf of the Government.
What is Housing Benefit?
Housing Benefit is a benefit for people on a low income to help them pay their rent. You may be able to get Housing Benefit if you are in receipt of benefits, work part-time or work full-time on a low income.
To get Housing Benefit you must pay rent to the council, a registered social landlord or a private landlord. You can also claim Housing Benefit if you rent a room in a hostel, or are a boarder. You can claim it if you share a flat or a house and can get Housing Benefit as a joint tenant or a sub-tenant.
You can not usually get Housing Benefit if you:
-
have savings of over £16,000
-
live in the home of a close relative
-
are a full-time student (unless you're disabled or have children)
-
are an asylum seeker or are sponsored to be in the UK
What is Council Tax Benefit?
Council Tax Benefit is a benefit for people on a low income to help them pay council tax. You may apply whether you rent or own your home, or live rent-free. You could qualify if you are out of work, or in work and earning a wage.
If you are entitled to Council Tax Benefit, your Council Tax bill is reduced.
If you have savings of over £16,000 you can't normally get Council Tax Benefit.
Second Adult Rebate is a form of Council Tax Benefit that can be paid instead of the main type of Council Tax Benefit. It also reduces your Council Tax bill.
You may be able to claim Second Adult Rebate if you have to pay Council Tax and you live with someone else, other than your partner. The other person must be 18 or over, not paying rent, not responsible to pay Council Tax, and have income below a certain amount.
Unlike Council Tax Benefit Second Adult Rebate is not based on your income instead it is based on income of the adult (or adults) living with you. Therefore a council tax payer may qualify for this benefit even if their income is too high to qualify for main Council Tax Benefit.
If you are entitled to Council Tax Benefit and Second Adult Rebate we will pay you the higher of these benefits.
If you would like to know more information on Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Second Adult Rebate please contact us on 0800 652 5422 (freephone). We will also be able to give you some idea whether you may qualify for one of these benefits.
Will I be entitled?
Use the Claim Benefits Online| system to work out whether or not you will be entitled to Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit. Please note, this is only intended as a guide. Press ‘claim’ if you wish to make an application.
Making a claim for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit
Claiming benefit may seem complicated so we have made it easier.
Claim Online
You can make a claim online for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. Use the Claim Benefits Online| to make an application.
We will then contact you to ensure we have all the information we need to assess your entitlement.
Claim by Telephone
You can now make a claim by phoning us on 0800 028 2569. We will need your name, address and contact phone number. We will then arrange to complete the claim with you either by personal interview at either Cwmbran or Pontypool Customer Care Centre.
Claim in Person
Call in to one of our Customer Centres and make an appointment for a personal interview.
If you have difficulty getting into one of our offices or using the telephone we can visit you to complete the form. To arrange this contact us on 0800 028 2569 or e-mail us at revs&bens@torfaen.gov.uk|. Alternatively you can print off and complete an application form. Also please print off the attached guidance notes| to help you complete the application form|.
Further information is available in the Information on Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit| leaflet.
You can access the National Benefit Leaflets| website. This site contains a number of leaflets general advice and guidance about Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit in the UK. They are available in many different languages including Welsh.