Housing and Council Tax Benefit

Applications and enquiries about Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are dealt with by a Central Benefits Team. See Useful contacts.

Your questions answered

How can I get Housing and Council Tax Benefit?

You need to contact your Neighbourhood Office for an application form or call the Benefits Team who will send you one. See Useful contacts for the telephone number. You will be assessed on your income, size of household, whether you are disabled or a pensioner, and any savings you may have. Once your application has been approved, the Benefits Team will write to you telling you how much you will receive. The benefit will be paid directly into your rent account. See Rent payment. If you feel you have been incorrectly assessed you can ask for a review.

What if I have any savings or other income?

If you have savings, capital or other income (eg private pension), this may affect the amount of benefit you can receive. However, savings or income under a certain amount will not affect your benefit at all. Savings include spare cash, money in banks or building society accounts, unit trusts, stocks and shares, income or capital bonds, premium bonds and lump sum redundancy payments. Even if you have savings or other income, don't be put off. It is always worth applying.

Changes of circumstances

If your circumstances change, you must inform the Benefits Team and your Neighbourhood Team immediately. If you don't you might have to pay back benefits we have overpaid to you. If we know of any changes in your circumstances that you haven't told us about, we have to pass this information on to the Benefits Team.

Housing Benefit

This is for tenants on low incomes or receiving welfare benefits. It is only for help with rent payments. It does not cover garage rent, home contents insurance, water rates and heating charges. Remember, if your Housing Benefit does not cover the full amount of rent you will have to pay the remaining amount.

The amount given depends on your rent, your income and any savings or investments you have. It will also depend on the number and ages of anyone living in your household and whether any are employed.

Changes of circumstances. You must inform the Benefits Team of any changes in your circumstances, eg changes in the number of people in your home, or a change in your income. You must also tell them if you move to a different Hackney Council property. You must do this before you move.

Council Tax Benefit

This is for people on low incomes or receiving welfare benefits and who would normally be expected to pay Council Tax.

The amount given depends on:

Renewing your claim

Your benefit claim is reviewed from time to time. When you receive a renewal form please complete and return it immediately. If you do not send it back on time you may go into arrears with your rent.