Council tax benefit and housing benefit

Housing and/or council tax benefit can be paid if you are on other benefits, work part-time or full-time on a low income and need help to pay all or part of your rent and/or council tax.

Your rent can be payable to a housing association, social, or private landlord to claim Housing Benefit. 

You must be liable to pay the council tax on the property you live in to claim council tax benefit.

Important information

If you are single and aged between 25 and 35 the rules for working out your Housing Benefit are changing.  See 'Shared accommodation rates' below.

There have also been some important changes to benefits from April 2011 that you need to be aware of.  Please see 'Changes for 2011' below.