Who can claim Housing or Council Tax Benefit?

Anybody who has to pay rent or Council Tax can claim benefit.

To get benefit you must also have:

• Savings and investments lower than £16,000 (unless you are in receipt of Guaranteed Element Pension Credit); and
• a low income.

You may not get Benefit if you are:

• A student;
• subject to immigration controls;
• A prisoner;
• In a nursing home or residential care.

If you fit into one of these groups contact the Council Tax and Benefits Service for further information.

For more information you can download our guidance leaflet in Adobe's pdf format.

 Introduction to Council Tax and Housing Benefit (173 kb)

 How do I claim Housing and Council Tax Benefit?