Housing Benefit

Generally, anyone who has to pay rent on the home where they live may be entitled to Housing Benefit providing the tenancy is on a commercial basis and is not contrived to take advantage of the Housing Benefit scheme.  Housing Benefit is sometimes known as Rent Allowance.

In order to potentially be entitled to Housing Benefit:

• You should generally be the person who is liable to pay the rent for the property that you occupy as your home
• The accommodation should be a private, Housing Association or Council property

Boarders, lodgers, sub-tenants and hostel dwellers can also apply.

Below is a list of people who are NOT usually entitled to Housing Benefit:

• Owner occupiers (including people with mortgages)
• Most full-time students
• People whose housing costs are paid through Income Support or Job Seeker's Allowance
• People who live with and rent from close relatives
• Crown tenants
• Long leaseholders (21 years or longer)
• Certain persons from abroad
• People in residential care and nursing homes

If you require further information, or you're not sure whether your circumstances mean that you may be able to claim Housing Benefit, please phone one of our customer service advisors on (01903) 221062 or call into the Town Hall.

Council Tax Benefit

Generally, anyone who has to pay Council Tax for the property that they live in as their home can claim Council Tax Benefit for that property. You may also be able to reduce the amount of Council Tax that you have to pay by applying for a discount or an exemption.

Council Tax is normally paid by the person who is resident in the dwelling, but in certain circumstances non-resident owners are liable instead.  Non-resident owners are not eligible for Council Tax Benefit.

If you are unsure about whether you might qualify for some help, please use the Benefit Calculator to give you an estimate.

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