Housing Benefit (HB) and Council Tax Support (CTS)

Housing Benefit (HB) can help to pay the rent if on low income, unemployed or claiming benefits. It is being replaced by Universal Credit

New claims can be made if the following apply: -

• If you are getting the Severe Disability Premium or are entitled to it
• If you got it or were entitled to the Severe Disability Premium within the last month and are eligible for it
• If you have reached state pension age
• If you live in supported, sheltered or temporary accommodation

From 27/01 2021 (the closing of the Severe Disability Premium ‘Gateway’) – no new claims can be made for Housing Benefit on the basis of receiving the Severe Disability Premium

Council Tax Support (CTS)

Council Tax Support is help with Council Tax for people on low income. It reduces the amount of Council Tax you have to pay – it is not a payment of money. The reduction in your Council Tax is made by your Local Authority.

Who can claim?

You qualify if all the following apply:

• You or your partner are liable for Council Tax for the home in which you live.
• You satisfy the ‘habitual residence test ‘and the ‘right to reside test’ and you are not ‘a person subject to immigration control’.
• Your savings are under £16,000 (unless you get the ‘guarantee credit’ of Pension Credit’).
• Your income is sufficiently low.

How much is the support?

The amount of Council Tax Support you get depends on your circumstances. In England and Wales, Local Authorities may have their own way of calculating what help you can get. In all schemes, your local Authority take into account things like household income and how many other adults and children live with you.

It is important to know that you cannot claim Council Tax Support through Universal Credit – it is a separate claim to the help you might receive with rental costs in Universal Credit.

How do you claim?

Claim from your Local Authority. An official site with a postcode finder for contacting your Local Authority about Council Tax Support is at www.gov.uk/apply-council-tax-reduction.