What is Council Tax Benefit?
This may help if you have to pay Council Tax. Your eligibility depends on the income and capital you (and your partner) have. You don’t have to have worked in the past and there are no age limits.
Council Tax Benefit is paid by your Local Authority to help towards your Council Tax. You do not have to get any other benefits to receive Council Tax Benefit and it does not matter if you already get a discount on your Council Tax (for example, if you live alone).
Will anything affect my claim?
There are various points that you should be aware of:- If you live with a partner, only one of you can get Council Tax Benefit.
- Unless you are aged 60 or over, savings of over £16,000 usually mean you cannot get Council Tax Benefit.
- If you are a full-time student, you will not usually have to pay Council Tax. However, if your partner is a student you may be able to get Council Tax Benefit.
How is it worked out?
To work out your Council Tax Benefit, the Local Authority will look at:- Money you (and your partner) have coming in, including earnings, some benefits and tax credits and things like occupational pensions.
- Your savings (and your partner's savings). If these are over £6,000 they will affect how much Council Tax Benefit you can get.
- Your circumstances, such as your age, the ages and size of your family, your level of disability and whether anyone who lives with you could help with the Council Tax.
Council Tax Benefit can cover up to 100% of someone’s Council Tax bill.
Second Adult Rebate
This is available if you share your home with one or more adults who cannot contribute towards the Council Tax. It is based on the other person's circumstances and your income and savings will not affect your claim.You may be able to get Second Adult Rebate even if you do not normally get Council Tax Benefit. If you are entitled to both Council Tax Benefit and Second Adult Rebate, you will get the one which gives you the most money.
To receive Second Adult Rebate, the person who shares your home must:
- not be your partner;
- be aged 18 or over;
- not be paying you any rent;
- not be liable to pay any Council Tax;
- be on income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or have a low income.
You should not have to make a separate claim for Second Adult Rebate, this should be considered with your main claim for Council Tax Benefit. However, some Local Authorities have a special claim-form to use if you want to be considered for Second Adult Rebate only.
How do I claim?
If you claim income-related ESA, Income Support, income-based JSA or Pension Credit, you can claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit over the phone at the same time.If you do not claim one of the above benefits, you can get forms for Council Tax Benefit from your Local Authority.
Council Tax Disability Reduction Scheme
You can also get a disability reduction if someone in your house is substantially or permanently disabled, if one of the following three conditions are met:- You have an additional bathroom or kitchen needed by the disabled person.
- You have a room (other than bathroom, kitchen or toilet) needed by and predominantly used by the disabled person.
- You have enough space in your dwelling for that person to use a wheelchair indoors.
If you are eligible you will pay a reduced amount of Council Tax, the equivalent to the valuation band below yours. For example, if your home is band D, the amount you pay will be reduced to Band C. If your home is in band A, you get a reduction of one-sixth of your bill.
Forms to apply for this reduction are available from your Local Authority.
