Council Tax Benefit/Council Tax Support and Housing Benefit

• Changes in the benefit system April 2013 onwards
• What is Housing Benefit?
• What is Council Tax Benefit?
  
• What is Council Tax Support?(from April 2013)
• Local Housing Allowance
• Who can claim?

• How and when to claim?
• How will your benefit will be paid?
• What to do if your circumstances change?
• How to contact us?
• View your claim
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

What is Housing Benefit?
Housing Benefit is a state benefit to help you pay your rent if you are on a low income. It does not matter whether you pay rent to a local Housing Association or any other private landlord. You cannot however claim if you live with or have to pay rent to a close relative such as a parent, step parent, son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter or their partners.

Depending on your individual circumstances and the income you receive, we can pay up to 100% of your rent.

What is Council Tax Benefit?(until 31 March 2013)
Council Tax Benefit is a state benefit to help you pay your Council Tax bill if you are on a low income. It does not matter if you already get a discount on your Council Tax, for example if you live alone. Depending on your income and family circumstances, you can get up to 100% off your Council Tax bill. We use any Council Tax Benefit granted to reduce your Council Tax bill.  Go to the Important Changes to Council Tax page to find out April 2013 changes.

What is Council Tax Support?(from 1 April 2013)
Council Tax support replaces Council Tax Benefit from April 2013. It is a scheme designed to help you pay your Council Tax if you are on a low income. It does not matter if you already get a discount on your Council Tax, for example if you live alone. Depending on your income and family circumstances your bill can be reduced. If you are working age your bill can be reduced by up to 80% or if you are a pensioner or receive certain disability benefits the reduction can be the full amount of Council Tax payable.

Who can claim?
You can make a claim for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit /Council Tax Support or both if you or your partner:-

• Are working or self employed and on a low income
• In receipt of state benefits (eg Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit etc)
• In receipt of Pension Credit
• Pay rent to a Housing Association or other private landlord
• Pay Council Tax to South Bucks District Council
• Are sick or disabled
• Have less than £16,000 (combined) savings, unless you are aged 60 and over and receive Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit. £6,000 in the case of working age claimants (if claiming Council Tax Support).

How and when to claim?
Claim straightaway! If you delay, you may lose benefit. So if you are currently living in rented accommodation, or liable to pay Council Tax and you are on a low income you may be entitled to Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit/Council Tax Support. If you know that you are moving to a new address you can claim up to 13 weeks before you become entitled to Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit. You will not normally receive any money before you move in.
If you claim Income Support/Jobseekers Allowance or Pension Credit, you will get a form to claim Housing Benefit with your pack.

If you do not claim Income Support/Jobseekers Allowance or Pension Credit, you can obtain an application form for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit from the Council. Alternatively you can download an application form.

How will your Benefit be paid?  
Council Tax Benefit/Council Tax Support will be paid straight towards you Council Tax bill and any installments you need to pay will be altered accordingly. Housing Benefit payments will be made either to yourself or your landlord  by BACS.

What to do if your circumstances change?
If your circumstances change it may affect your Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit/Council Tax Support. You must therefore notify the Council's Benefits Section immediately.

View your claim
If you are already in receipt of Housing or Council Tax Benefit, you can now view your claim online.
If you are a landlord who receives payment for Housing Benefit, you can view details of payments and award of benefit only online.
                    
How to Contact us
If you require further information or you would like help completing the application form please contact the Benefits section at:

South Bucks District Council
Capswood
Oxford Road
Denham
Bucks
UB9 4LH

or telephone the Benefits helpline on 01895 837515
alternatively you can email us at benefits@southbucks.gov.uk