Benefits FAQs
Click a question to reveal the answer.
Q: How long does my application take to process?
Q: From what date will my Housing Benefit be paid?
Q: Can I claim Housing Benefit/apply for Council Tax Reduction if I work?
Q: I am self-employed - what information do I need to provide?
Q: What is Local Housing Allowance?
Q: I am a joint tenant. How will this affect the LHA I receive?
Q: Why do I have an housing benefit overpayment?
Q: How will the Housing Benefit overpayment be recovered/paid back?
Q: I might be starting work - how this will affect my benefits/award?
Q: Can my landlord be paid my Housing Benefit?
Q: How do my savings or capital affect my benefit/award?
Capital and savings are treated differently dependant on whether you are of working age or of State Pension Age.
If you are working age and have less than £6000, this is ignored completely for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction purposes. For every £250 (or part) above £6000, we must add £1.00 to your weekly income when we calculate your benefit. This is called 'tariff income'.
Examples:
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A working age person with savings of £6001.00 equates to a weekly tariff income figure of £1.00
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A working age person with savings of £6500.00 equates to a weekly tariff income figure of £2.00
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A working age person with savings of £10 000 equates to a weekly tariff income figure of £16.00
If you have reached state pension age, the first £10 000 of savings are ignored and the tariff income applied is £1.00 for every £500 savings you have over £10 000.
Please see Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction for older people for details.
Q: I receive Housing Benefit but cannot pay my full rent. Can I get any other help?
Q: What is a non-dependant deduction?
Q: I think you have calculated my Housing Benefit incorrectly?
Q: Local Housing Allowance and the Shared Accommodation Rate?
