Council Tax Benefit
Council Tax Benefit is a national welfare benefit to help you to pay your council tax if you are on a low income.
Can you get a Council Tax Benefit?
To qualify for a Council Tax Benefit, you must:
- Be on a low income.
- Be the person responsible for paying the Council Tax.
Anyone can make a claim for a Housing Benefit and/or a Council Tax Benefit, but if your income or savings are more than £16,000 you may not be eligible.
Use the benefits calculator to find out what you could get, or check your income to see if you are eligible.
Apply for a Council Tax Benefit
Post or hand in your application to the Benefits Service.
Use the following form if you receive Income Support, income based Job Seekers Allowance, Guarantee Credit, or income related Employment and Support Allowance.Use the following form if you are in any other circumstance.
You will also need to provide original documents as proof of your identification, rent, income, and savings.
If your circumstances change when you are on a benefit, you must tell the Benefits Service.
Second Adult Rebate
A Second Adult Rebate is a different kind of Council Tax Benefit for single people who have to pay Council Tax and who have other adults on a low income living in the household.
It can be claimed by anyone who does not have a partner, but only if they do not qualify for the Council Tax single person discount because they share their home with another person, who is aged 18 or older, is on a low income, and does not pay them rent.
Discretionary Housing Payments
Discretionary Housing Payments are like a top-up for when your Council Tax Benefit (or Housing Benefit) is less than the full amount of your council tax (or rent).
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