Council Tax Benefit
Council Tax Benefit is an income-related benefit and is available for those on a low income who are liable to pay Council Tax.
If you live on your own, you should still claim the single person discount of 25%. In such a case, benefit would be calculated on the reduced amount payable.
If you are receiving Pension Credit, Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance, and live on your own, you should still claim the single person discount to avoid any delay in assessing your benefit.
Benefit Calculator
Check your own entitlements using our interactive Benefit Calculator.
Who can claim?
Benefit will be paid to the person required to pay the Council Tax, who is normally the resident.
A resident whose income is too high to qualify for benefit will be able to claim in respect of other adults (not a partner, boarder or lodger) living in the same property on a low income. (See paragraph on Second Adult Rebate.)
If a landlord and lodger or boarder share the property, the landlord will receive the bill and be able to claim Council Tax Benefit. However, if some of the charge is passed on to the lodger or boarder as a rent increase, he or she may be entitled to more Housing Benefit.
Eligibility
Anyone who is liable to pay Council Tax on their home will be eligible to claim benefit. In the case of married or unmarried couples, one partner must claim benefit on behalf of both partners.
Second Adult Rebate
Benefit can be awarded to people on low income who share the property on a non-commercial basis with another adult who is not a partner.
The liable person must complete an application form showing the gross income of the Second Adult. The form should be returned to the Benefits Service with any relevant proof of income. (Please provide original documents as proof. If you do not do so your benefit will be delayed or you could lose benefit to which you are entitled.)
Please note
- ‘Non-commercial basis’ means the liable person is not receiving rent from boarders or lodgers in the property.
- A liable person who shares the property with a partner will not be eligible to claim for Second Adult Rebate.
- If there are more than two Second Adults in the property and they are on a low income, benefit would still be granted.
How to claim
A claim form for Council Tax Benefit or Second Adult Rebate is available from the Benefits Service. Contact details can be found on the right.
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