Housing and Council Tax benefit form

You can claim Housing Benefit if you or your partner is liable to pay rent for your home.

You can claim Council Tax Benefit if you or your partner is liable to pay Council Tax or if you are liable for Council Tax and have someone living with you who is:

• Over the age of 18; and
• Does not pay you rent; and
• Is not jointly liable with you to pay the Council tax; and
• Is on a low income; and
• Is not a disregarded person for Council Tax e.g. a student.

If you think you may be entitled to Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit please fill in an application form and return it to one of the council offices. A Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Claim Form(pdf, 304KB) is available to be downloaded. This form is 28 pages long. Guidance notes are available for download(pdf, 57KB) to help you complete the form.

If you intend to print a form and return it to us you should read our Personal Information Policy before doing so.

It is important that you return the form as soon as possible because your benefit will normally start from the date we get your claim.

For further information and guidance about applying for benefits, please visit the Benefits leaflets website.

Note that we now have to see original documents, we can no longer accept photocopies. The original documents have to be seen and checked by a Council Officer who has been authorised by the Revenues and Benefits Department.

See Revenues and Benefits contacts page for details of the council offices where you can take documents.

If you cannot get to one of the council’s offices because of a disability or other special needs, we may be able to visit you in your home to see the documents.

Do not wait until you have all of the proof asked for on the form, this can be sent separately.