Who can claim Council Tax and/or Housing Benefit?

You can claim Council Tax Benefit if you are:
• A home-owner
• Liable to pay Council Tax for a dwelling
• A resident of that dwelling

You can claim Housing Benefit if you are:
• A Council Tenant renting from the Council
• A Private Tenant renting from a landlord
• A Housing Association Tenant renting from a Housing Association
• A Boarder whose rent includes meals being provided
• A Hostel dweller
• A resident of a mobile home or a riverboat
• Renting under a shared ownership agreement

If you are a tenant and are also liable for Council Tax your claim will automatically be assessed for both Housing and Council Tax Benefit. If you are finding it difficult to pay your rent or your Council Tax you should apply for benefit.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE UNEMPLOYED OR UNABLE TO WORK.

YOU CAN APPLY IF YOU OR YOUR PARTNER ARE WORKING & on a low income.

YOU CAN APPLY IF YOU OR YOUR PARTNER WORK FULL-TIME & on a low income

YOU WILL NOT BE ENTITLED IF YOU HAVE SAVINGS OR CAPITAL (Capital includes all savings, cash saved at home, bank and building society accounts, stocks and shares, premium bonds, and property (other than the home you are living in) OF MORE THAN £16,000, UNLESS YOU ARE IN RECEIPT OF PENSION CREDIT GUARANTEE.

Normally claims for housing benefit should be made by the person responsible for paying the rent to the landlord. For council tax benefit the person who is liable to pay the council tax for the property should make the claim.

If you reside with your landlord/landlady and he/she is a close relative, you may not be entitled to housing and council tax benefits.

Most full time students are excluded from claiming housing benefit. There are some exceptions to this rule however, for example single parents, disabled students or people in receipt of Income Support/Job Seeker’s Allowance (income based).

If you have recently come from abroad you will normally be required to demonstrate that you have the right to stay in this country. You will also have to satisfy the ‘habitual residency test’ before we can pay you any benefit.

Other useful information and forms:
Benefit Claim Form
On-line Benefit Calculator
Help with Rent and Council Tax for Pensioners
Information for Students
Help with rent and Council Tax for people of working age (National Leaflet)
Information for Landlords
Local Housing Allowance

This document was last updated on 2008-07-31 14:59:04 published by the Revenues and Benefits team. Document Reference:LBE_130570

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Directory: Home About Enfield Enfield events calendar Advice and benefits Business Community and living Council and democracy Education and learning Environment and planning Health and social care Housing Jobs and careers Leisure and culture Transport and streets Emergencies Contact us: Ask us a question Civic Centre Silver Street Enfield EN1 3XY Telephone: 020 8379 1000 Fax: 020 8379 4453 Textphone: 020 8379 4419 Note: Calls may be recorded. How to find us	A to Z of Services: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z .Translation. Who can claim Council Tax and/or Housing Benefit? You can claim Council Tax Benefit if you are: • A home-owner • Liable to pay Council Tax for a dwelling • A resident of that dwelling You can claim Housing Benefit if you are: • A Council Tenant renting from the Council • A Private Tenant renting from a landlord • A Housing Association Tenant renting from a Housing Association • A Boarder whose rent includes meals being provided • A Hostel dweller • A resident of a mobile home or a riverboat • Renting under a shared ownership agreement If you are a tenant and are also liable for Council Tax your claim will automatically be assessed for both Housing and Council Tax Benefit. If you are finding it difficult to pay your rent or your Council Tax you should apply for benefit. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE UNEMPLOYED OR UNABLE TO WORK. YOU CAN APPLY IF YOU OR YOUR PARTNER ARE WORKING & on a low income. YOU CAN APPLY IF YOU OR YOUR PARTNER WORK FULL-TIME & on a low income YOU WILL NOT BE ENTITLED IF YOU HAVE SAVINGS OR CAPITAL (Capital includes all savings, cash saved at home, bank and building society accounts, stocks and shares, premium bonds, and property (other than the home you are living in) OF MORE THAN £16,000, UNLESS YOU ARE IN RECEIPT OF PENSION CREDIT GUARANTEE. Normally claims for housing benefit should be made by the person responsible for paying the rent to the landlord. For council tax benefit the person who is liable to pay the council tax for the property should make the claim. If you reside with your landlord/landlady and he/she is a close relative, you may not be entitled to housing and council tax benefits. Most full time students are excluded from claiming housing benefit. There are some exceptions to this rule however, for example single parents, disabled students or people in receipt of Income Support/Job Seeker’s Allowance (income based). If you have recently come from abroad you will normally be required to demonstrate that you have the right to stay in this country. You will also have to satisfy the ‘habitual residency test’ before we can pay you any benefit. Other useful information and forms: Benefit Claim Form On-line Benefit Calculator Help with Rent and Council Tax for Pensioners Information for Students Help with rent and Council Tax for people of working age (National Leaflet) Information for Landlords Local Housing Allowance This document was last updated on 2008-07-31 14:59:04 published by the Revenues and Benefits team. Document Reference:LBE_130570
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