New customers - who can claim

You may be able to claim Housing or Council Tax Benefit if you pay either rent or Council Tax. You must also have a low income, or receive welfare benefits. If you live with a partner, you must choose which one of you will make the claim.

You may be entitled if you are on other benefits, self employed, work part-time or work full-time.

You can still claim Council Tax Benefit even if you own your home, however you won't be able to claim Housing Benefit. Homeowners may be able to get help with mortgage interest through Income Support, income-based Jobseekers Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Pension Credit. You can find out more by contacting the Department for Works and Pensions

You can claim Housing and Council Tax Benefit if you and any partner:

• are liable to pay rent (for Housing Benefit)
• are liable to pay Council tax (for Council Tax Support).
• live in the property as your normal home
• complete a claim form and provide all Evidence and proofs requested
• have under £16000 in Savings and capital (unless receiving Guaranteed Pension Credit)
• are not a member of an excluded group (see below)

See if you may qualify by using our online Benefits Calculator .

Excluded Groups

Some groups of people are excluded from receiving Housing or Council Tax Benefit. There are exceptions to these rules, so if you think you fall in to one of these groups then please follow the links or contact us for more information.

• Most full time Students with no children
• Persons from abroad
• Living with and paying rent to a close relative
• People with Savings and capital over £16000 (unless receiving Guaranteed Pension Credit)
• People under 18 cannot claim Council Tax Benefit.

See New customers - how to make a claim Housing and Council Tax Benefit