Housing Benefit

• What is Housing Benefit?
• What is Council Tax Benefit? 
• Local Housing Allowance 
• Who can claim? 
• How and when to claim? 
• How will your benefit will be paid? 
• The Web Benefits Calculator 
• What to do if your circumstances change? 
• How to contact us ? 
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

In conjunction with its partner Capita, the Council now offers the facility to view benefit claims online via a secure website.

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?
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.

Who can claim?
You can make a claim for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit 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.

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. 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 will be paid straight towards you Council Tax bill and any instalments you need to pay will be altered accordingly. Housing Benefit payments will be made either to yourself or your landlord either by BACS or crossed cheque.

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



How to Contact us