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Council Tax Benefit

 

Index

You can read through this information sheet, or go directly to the sections you want to read by clicking on these links:

• Who does it help? 
• What help does it provide?
• How much does it pay?
• How do I make a claim?
• What documents will I need?
• Can it be backdated?
• Challenging decisions
• Change of circumstance
• Further Help

Who does it help?

Council Tax Benefit is to help people on a low income who have to pay Council Tax. It does not matter whether you rent or own your home.

Most full-time students cannot get Council Tax Benefit. See our section on Benefits and Students.

If you live with another adult who is not your partner and who does not pay rent, you might get something called a Second Adult Rebate instead of Council Tax Benefit. The council will work out which benefit gives you the most help if you give them enough information. 

If you live with a partner, only one of you can claim Council Tax Benefit. This applies whether you are married, in a civil partnership or just living together. 

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What help does it provide?

Council Tax Benefit is not usually paid to you directly. It reduces the amount of Council Tax you have to pay so your Council Tax bill is smaller. In some cases, you will not have to pay any Council Tax at all. The amount of the reduction will be shown on your Council Tax bill.

If you have already paid your Council Tax bill, Council Tax Benefit can be paid directly to you, but you have to ask the council for this.

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How much does it pay?

If you get benefits like Income Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or the guarantee part of Pension Credit, your Council Tax Benefit will cover 100% of your Council Tax bill.

If you are not getting one of these benefits you could still get some Council Tax Benefit but this will depend on your income and savings.

If there are other adults living in your home and they are not your partner, for example, an adult child or relative, you might get less Council Tax Benefit because of a non-dependant deduction. This is an amount the non dependant is expected to contribute based on their income.

The Turn2us Benefits Calculator can calculate how much Council Tax Benefit you may be entitled to.

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How do I make a claim?

Online Claim

You may be able to claim online if your local authority offers this facility.

Telephone Claim

You may be able to claim by telephone if your local authority offers this facility.

Paper Claim

Get a claim form by contacting your local authority Council Tax Benefit office.

If you are making a claim for Income Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or Pension Credit, you can claim Council Tax Benefit at the same time, your details will be sent direct to your local authority.

Rapid reclaims

To make a claim for Council Tax Benefit, you may be able to fill in a shortened form known as a 'rapid reclaim'. To fill in a rapid reclaim, you must have made a claim for Income Support, Incapacity Benefit or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance before, within the last 26 weeks. You must also be claiming this benefit again and your circumstances must not have changed since your last claim.

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What documents will I need?

When you claim, you must give your national insurance number and evidence of who you are, for example, a driving licence or birth certificate. If you are not already claiming benefits, you must give proof of your income and savings, for example, bank statements or pay slips.

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Can it be backdated?

Council Tax Benefit can be backdated for up to six months if you would have been entitled to it earlier. You have to show a good reason for not claiming sooner. Request this when claiming.

If you or your partner are over 60, and you are not getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, your claim can be backdated for up to three months no matter why your claim is late. Request this when claiming.

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Challenging decisions

If you disagree with the decision made on your benefit claim you can ask for a written statement of reasons. If you still believe the decision is wrong, for example due to incorrect information being used, you can ask for it to be looked at again, and/or appeal.

The time limits are strict, you will usually be given one month to dispute a decision, so it is important to seek advice and act quickly.

Further information on Challenges and complaints

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Change of circumstance

You must report changes in your circumstances which might affect your entitlement to this benefit.

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This information has been produced by Citizens Advice. 

Last updated: 8 November 2011