Council Tax Benefit

Council tax benefit can only be claimed if you are, aged 18 or over, are liable for council tax and whose capital and income are below a certain amount.

You may be liable for council tax even if your name is not on the bill.

If you are liable for council tax on more than one property, you will only be able to claim council tax benefit or second adult rebate on the property where you normally reside.

You can claim council tax benefit if you:-

not excluded from Council Tax Benefits due to residency qualification

not a student (usually)

are receiving income support or

are entitled to the guarantee credit part of pension credit,

either on its own or with the savings credit.

(you can claim full council tax benefit even if your weekly entitlement

to the guarantee credit is too small to be payable)

are receiving income based job seekers allowance or

have a low income and capital under £16000.

In the case of a married or unmarried heterosexual couple

one partner must claim benefit on behalf of both.

The amount of benefit is worked out on the basis of the couple's combined income and capital.

Need more information?

Contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau

or District Council