Housing and Council Tax Benefits
Council Tax Benefit
Council tax benefit helps people on low income to pay their council tax bill.
It does not matter if you already get a discount on your council tax, for example: if you live alone.
Only the person liable for paying the council tax can apply for benefit.
There are 2 types of council tax benefit:
- Main council tax benefit, this is similar to housing benefit and will depend on your income, savings and other circumstances; and
- Second adult rebate; help if you share your home with 1 adult or more. To qualify, the person living with you must:
- Be 18 or over
- Not pay you rent
- Not be your partner or husband or wife; and
- Not be jointly responsible for paying council tax
Second adult rebate will be based on the other person's circumstances.
Your income and savings will not affect second adult rebate.
- If you are entitled to council tax benefit and second adult rebate, you will get the one which gives you the most benefit
For more information on who can claim housing and council tax benefit, visit the Customer Management System web page.
Housing benefit and council tax benefit guidance notes 
PDF 553K
Claim form for housing benefit and council tax benefit PDF 199K
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