Housing benefit
Housing benefit is a means-tested benefit to help people to
pay their rent. Most people with a low income and £16,000 or less
in savings can get help to pay their rent and council tax bills.
This includes people who are unable to work because of illness or
disability, pensioners, and people who have lost their jobs and are
currently unemployed. It also includes people who are in work but
need help due to low income and savings.
Online calculator
To see if you qualify for help with your rent and council tax visit our housing and Council Tax benefit calculator.
- How to claim
- Change in circumstances
- Make appeals
- Overpayment
- Backdating claim
- Discretionary housing payment
- Local housing allowance
- Housing benefit for students (PDF 698KB) (this document has not been tagged for technical reasons)
Claim forms
- Housing benefit / Council Tax benefit/Second adult rebate claim form (PDF 143 KB)
- Housing benefit / Council Tax benefit/Second adult rebate supporting evidence form (PDF 43 KB)
What if I need help filling in the form?
If you would like some help in completing an application form you can request a home visit. We are also able to visit you at home to give advice on any other benefits. See visits and welfare advice for more information.
You could also contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau for help.
How to get in touch with us
Staff in our benefits department are happy to help with any query you have. You can reach us online, by email, post or telephone:
Our performance
You can find out more about our performance with dealing with claims in the Council's performance section.