Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming other benefits.

You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if one of the following apply:

• you have reached State Pension age
• you are in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

If you are over state pension age and live with your partner, you can make a new claim for Housing Benefit if any of the following apply:

• you and your partner have both reached State Pension age
• one of you has reached State Pension age and started getting Pension Credit (for you as a couple) before 15 May 2019
• you are in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

If you are in supported, sheltered or temporary housing, you can make a new claim if:

• you are living in temporary accommodation, such as a Bed & Breakfast (B&B) arranged by the council
• you are living in a refuge for survivors of domestic abuse
• you are living in sheltered or supported housing (such as a hostel) which provides you with ‘care, support or supervision’
• if you do not get ‘care, support or supervision’ through your supported or sheltered housing, you can apply for Universal Credit to help with housing costs

Find out more about Housing benefit on the GOV.UK housing benefit page.

There are changes to your circumstances you’ll need to tell us about once you have made a claim. Read about what changes you will need to notify us of.

Council Tax support

Council Tax Support is a reduction of the amount of Council Tax you have to pay. If you qualify we will make an award directly to your Council Tax account – this can be up to 100%.

The amount of the award will depend on your household income and circumstances and the award may change over time if your situation changes. 

Every year in January, our local Council Tax Support scheme is decided for the following financial year. This scheme applies to working aged claimants, and claimants who are in a mixed-age relationship who qualify.

For more information, please read the current Council Tax support scheme [PDF, 1MB].

If you are of state pension age, the amount of Council Tax Support you may get is set each year by Central Government.

There are changes to your circumstances you’ll need to tell us once you have made a claim for support. Check what changes you will need to notify us of.

Second adult rebate

If you're State Pension Age then Second Adult Rebate can help you with Council Tax.

This means you might get help if you live with an adult (someone 18 or older) who isn't your partner and:

• does not pay Council Tax themselves
• is on a low income
• does not pay you rent on a commercial basis (like a tenant)

This is different to Council Tax Support because the amount of discount you receive is based on the other adult's circumstances, however the Council Tax payer will have to make the claim.

Supporting your claim 

Supporting evidence helps us to make a fair and honest assessment of the situation you are in, and it ensures that we can maximise what we offer to make sure you are getting all the support you are eligible for. 

You will need to provide relevant evidence to support your benefit claim application, and any other supporting evidence that you think may be helpful. For example;

• bank statements 
• utility bills 
• invoices for things like childcare or the care of another person

This can be done online, using our send us evidence form. 

What to do if you disagree with the decision

If you are unhappy with the outcome of your application and would like an explanation or reconsideration, this must be done within a month of the date of the original decision. If you do not agree with our decision, you have the right to appeal.

Read more about what to do if you disagree with the decision.