Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit for older people

Coming up to retirement?

If you have reached the qualifying age for state pension and wish to claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, there are additional ways you can claim.

You can claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (including Second Adult Rebate) with your claim for Pension Credit.

To get help to do this, call the Pensions, Disability and Carers Service on 0800 99 1234 or text phone 0800 169 0133. Lines are open 8.00 am to 8.00 pm Monday to Friday and 9.00 am to 1.00 pm on Saturdays. An adviser will help you apply for these benefits and let you know what happens next. The Pensions, Disability and Carers Service will send the details of your Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit to us.

The State Retirement Age began to increase gradually from April 2010. You can check the date that you can retire using DirectGov's State Pension age calculator.

Home visits

If you have reached State Pension age and require extra assistance to make a claim for Housing and or Council Tax Benefit you can request a home visit from the Benefits Service Visiting Team.

As well as assisting with Housing and Council Tax Benefit claims, the Visiting Service can also provide advice and assistance about other Welfare benefits and schemes available to you.

Contact the Benefits Visit Team

If you would like a Visiting Officer to call at your home to assist you with your Benefit claim you can get in touch by:

Telephone 020 8871 7062

Email benefitvisits@wandsworth.gov.uk