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What are Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit?
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are national welfare benefits which help people on a low income.
There are two types of Council Tax Benefit.
Please visit the Council Tax Benefit page for more detailed information.
Both Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are means-tested benefits. This means that when we work out your benefit, we have to take account of things like your income, investments, and savings.
Local councils run the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit schemes, using government rules.
Can I claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit even though I work?
Yes you can, but the more you earn, the less benefit you are likely to get. You should apply to find out if you are entitled. Download and complete the application form (PDF Format).
I'm self-employed - can I claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit?
Yes you can. You need to give us proof of your self-employed earnings and you can contact us for more information about what we need.
How do I claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit?
You can obtain a form by contacting us or by downloading a PDF version.
If you don't have all the proof of income and investments we need, don't delay sending in your form as you may lose benefit. We can always ask for any more information once we have received your application.
Please visit the How to Claim section for more information.
What proof will you need to see of my earned income?
We will need to see:
Your payslips must be the most recent ones when you make your claim.
What if I've just started work and I'm not sure what my wages will be?
In this case we can ask your employer to tell us what you are likely to earn. Then, when you get your payslips, you can send them to us so we can reassess your earnings.
Do you ignore any of my earnings?
Yes, we ignore a set amount of your earnings every week. The amount we ignore depends on your circumstances. We count the money you earn from work after money has been taken out for:
We also do not count the first:
And, if you are in receipt of Tax Credits, work 30 hours or more, we also ignore an extra amount from your earnings.
What other proof will I need to provide apart from earnings?
We need to see proof of any other income, for example Child Benefit, as well as any savings or investments you have. We also need proof of your and your partner's National Insurance number, and we may also ask you to provide proof of identity for both of you. Our form usually tells you what you need to provide, but if you're not sure you can always contact us for help.
I work and have a child. Do you take account of the childcare costs I have to pay?
Yes we do. We can ignore an amount for childcare costs from your earnings, but the childcare must be with an approved childcare provider. Please contact us for more information.
Can I get advice on how much Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit I can get if I start work?
Yes, just contact us with details of your expected earnings and other income details and we should be able to give you an estimate of how much Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit (or both) you could get.
Is there any extra financial help available to help me back into work?
Yes, there is extra financial help available. If you go back to work and your Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance ends, you could be entitled to an extended payment of your Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit (or both) for up to four weeks. You must have been receiving Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance for six months before starting work, and the work should be expected to last for at least five weeks.
Make a claim for it at the Jobcentre Plus office, and don't forget to tell us at the same time. If you are starting work or increasing your hours and as a result your Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance stops, you should be entitled to an extended payment of your Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit (or both) for up to four weeks. Please contact us direct to make a claim.
What should I do if anything changes when I'm getting benefit?
You should tell us straightaway if your circumstances change. It might affect how much you get, and if you don't tell us you may lose benefit. If you don't tell us about a change and we pay you too much benefit, you may have to pay it back.
What can I do if I don't agree with your decision?
If you don't agree with our decision, you can ask us to look at it again. Our letters tell you what your rights are. Please see What to do if you disagree with a Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit decision for more detailed information.
Where can I get help?
If you need to find out whether you are eligible for any of these benefits or if you need help completing benefit forms, please get in touch with our Independent Benefit Advisor, Karen Linford.
Phone Karen on 0151 356 6607 or email karen.linford@epnbc.gov.uk
Home visits can be arranged if required.
Advice is also available from Ellesmere Port and Neston's Citizens Advice Bureau.
