Important: Child Benefit changes from November 2009.

Changes to child benefit means more families now qualify for housing and council tax benefit. Could you and your family be better off?  Click here for more information.

Housing and Council Tax Benefit is paid by local council's to help pay towards your rent and council tax. How much benefit you receive will depend on your circumstances and how much rent and council tax you have to pay.

Second Adult Rebate is for people who cannot get help for themselves with their Council Tax but have people living with them that are on low incomes.

The City Council processes Benefit claims for City Council tenants, Housing Association tenants and private tenants. Whoever you pay your housing costs to, the process for claiming Benefit is essentially the same. Home owners can also claim help towards paying their Council Tax bill - it is based on the same information as Housing Benefit, except it uses the Council Tax as its base rather than the Rent.

How to make a claim for Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit.

You must complete a Benefit Claim Form. It is your responsibility to fill in the form correctly and provide the original proofs asked for on the claim form to make sure we can process your claim.

Click here for more information about Housing and Council Tax Benefit

Click here to download an application form.

Important information for tenants renting from a private landlord.

Local Housing Allowance was introduced on 7 April 2008. It is a new way of working out new claims for Housing Benefit for tenants renting accommodation from a private landlord. It also affects tenants already getting Housing Benefit who move into accommodation rented from a private landlord.

If you live in council accommodation or other social housing, Local Housing Allowance will not affect you.

Click here for more information about Local Housing Allowance.

How to avoid being overpaid benefit.

If you are claiming benefit, whether you are a tenant or a home owner, you must always also tell us if you have any changes in your circumstances. Some tenants have to pay money back because they did not tell us straight away about changes in their circumstances. Don't let this happen to you. Click here for more information about changes in your circumstances.

Other help that may be available.

If you are on a low income and have children you may be able to get help towards school clothing and free school meals. 
Click here for more information about Pupil Benefits.