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 New Council Tax Benefit Claims

Council Tax Benefit helps people on a low income pay all or part of their Council Tax.

You can claim Council Tax Benefit if you are liable to pay Council Tax for the property you live in.

How much benefit you get depends on your circumstances and how much Council Tax you have to pay.

 

You can claim Council Tax Benefit if you are:

 

You can claim even if you are not getting any other benefits or have not made any National Insurance contributions. Some people may not be entitled to Council Tax Benefit, even if they have to pay Council Tax. This is usually (but not always) the case if:

  • You have come to live in the UK from abroad
  • You are a full time student
  • You live in residential care or a nursing home
  • You have capital (e.g. savings) of over £16,000


This list only gives examples for further information or if you fall into one of the above groups please contact the Benefits Service.

 

What is not covered by Council Tax benefit?
You cannot claim Council tax benefit for Water and Sewerage charges. You will have to pay these regardless of your income.

 

To be paid Council Tax Benefit
 You must live in the accommodation as your main home and be liable to pay Council Tax for that accommodation. If you are away from home (PDF, 16.6KB) for a period of time we may still be able to continue payment.

If you are not already getting benefit, you should apply to us now, as generally we cannot award Benefit for a time before you apply. You will need evidence to support your claim (PDF, 20KB)

 

Couples
If you are married, in a civil partnership or if you live with someone as if you are married or in a civil  partnership, you should only make one claim for both of you. You and your partner must decide who is to make the claim, and that person should then fill in the form with both your details.

Living with other people
If you share responsibility for the Rent and/or Council Tax with other people (e.g. you are a joint tenant or joint owner), you can still claim benefit but this will only be calculated on your own share of the Rent or Council Tax.  

Second Adult Rebate
If you do not get Council Tax Benefit based on your own income and circumstances and you are the only person responsible for paying the Council Tax you may qualify for Second Adult Rebate if you have other adults aged 18 or over living with you who are on a low income.

 

Who can claim Second Adult Rebate?
The rules for claiming Second Adult Rebate are different from those for claiming main Council Tax benefit.
Second Adult Rebate is awarded when the claimant has a second adult living in his or her home who is on Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance or on a low income.
The level of the claimant's income or capital is not taken into account.

 

A 'second adult' is somebody over the age of 18 living in your household on a non-commercial basis (ie not paying rent). A second adult can be:

  • adult son or daughter
  • a relative
  • or a friend
  • or a certain type of carer

A 'second adult' cannot be:

  • a partner
  • a tenant/boarder
  • a joint tenant

In addition, a 'second adult' cannot be a person normally disregarded for Council Tax purposes such as:

  • a person under the age of 18 or someone over 18 years if Child Benefit is still in payment
  • a full time student
  • a person on a youth training scheme
  • an apprentice on a NCVQ/SVEC course
  • a person who is severely mentally impaired
  • certain types of carers
  • people in prison or other forms of detention
  • people who have been in hospital for more than 6 weeks
  •  people actually or normally resident elsewhere
  •  diplomats and members of International bodies or of visiting forces

This is because you still may be able to get a single person discount if the person living with you falls into one of these categories. You should contact the Council Tax section directly if you think you may be entitled to a single person discount.

You cannot claim a Second Adult Rebate if:

  • you have a partner
  • if the second adults living with you have a commercial liability to pay rent (ie they are your tenants or your joint tenants).

To work out your Council Tax Benefit entitlement we will look at:

  • all of the money you and your partner have coming in – for example. earnings, benefits, tax credits, pensions.
  • any  savings (PDF, 20KB) you and your partner may have
  • your circumstances - such as your age and the size of your family; the ages of your children; whether you or any of your family are disabled; if there is anyone else who lives with you who could help with the rent (known as a non dependant (PDF, 20KB).

What if the amount of benefit I am entitled to is not enough to pay my Council Tax?

We may be able to offer you a Discretionary Housing Payment (PDF, 50KB) if this is the case. We have a application  form  (Word, 86KB) for Discretionary Housing Payments you can fill this in or contact the  Benefits Service (PDF, 76KB) for help filling it in.
 

For help, information or a form phone: 0845-603-0595 between 8.30am and 5.30pm Monday to Friday or email us at benefits@north-ayrshire.gov.uk.

 

The Benefit calculator can help you find out if you are entitled to Council Tax Benefit. We have an application form for Council Tax and Housing Benefit (PDF, 151KB)you can fill this in or contact the  Benefits Service (PDF, 76KB)for help filling it in.

 

 

Who cannot claim housing or council tax benefit?
You will not be entitled to Housing or Council Tax Benefit if any of the following apply: you are not the person liable to pay rent or Council Tax; you have more than £16,000 in savings (unless you are in receipt of Guarantee Pension Credit); you are not a UK Citizen or you have not lived in the UK for the past 2 years; or if you are a full-time student, unless you are a full time student who is also: Receiving Income Support; or a lone parent or couple who are responsible for a child or foster child; or disabled; or under 19 and following a further (not higher) course of education; or aged 60 or more.

When are Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit awarded from?
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are normally awarded from the Monday after the day you claim.

What savings do you consider when looking at my application for Housing and Council Tax Benefit?
The type of savings we count include: cash savings, building societies, savings, bank and post office savings, premium bonds, National Savings Certificates, stocks, shares and unit trusts, the value of any land or property you own apart from your home.

What is the 'applicable amount'?
The 'applicable amount' is the amount the Government says you need to live on each week and it is made up of three parts: 1) An amount for you and your partner, if you have one. 2) An amount for any dependent children in your family. 3) An amount called a premium to help with special needs, for example, if you have children or if someone in your family is elderly or disabled. These amounts are set by the Government and normally change every year.

What is a 'non-dependant'?
A non-dependant is someone aged 18 or over who lives with you as part of your family but is not your partner. Examples of non-dependants are adult sons and daughters, elderly relatives or friends. Boarders, sub-tenants and joint tenants are not classed as non-dependants.

What effect does having a non-dependant living with me have on my council tax and housing benefits?
Normally, we take a certain amount off your weekly Housing Benefit for each non-dependant who lives with you. This amount is called a non-dependant deduction. The amount we take off your benefit depends on the circumstances of the non-dependant and how much income they get. The Government sets non-dependant deductions and normally changes them every year.

Should I continue to pay my rent and council tax whilst I await a decision on my application for Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit?
It is very important that you continue to pay your Rent and Council Tax. You may receive little or no benefit and if you do not pay you may fall in to arrears.

Is it only Council tenants that can apply for Council Tax benefit?
Council Tax benefit is means tested and available to everyone who qualifies - not just Council Tenants - if you are on a low income you should apply for council tax benefit.

I have lost my job and can't pay my council tax. What should I do?
You may be able to claim housing and council tax benefit. Contact us immediately.

How do the level of my savings affect my Housing and Council Tax Benefit claims?
There are different rules depending on whether you are a Working Age customer or a Pension age customer.

Working Age customers
If your savings are £6,000 or less they are ignored. Any savings between £6,000 and £16,000 are taken into account. For every £250 (or part thereof) between £6,000 and £16,000 we will have to add £1 to your weekly income.

Pension Age customers
If your savings are £10,000 or less they are ignored. Any savings between £10,000 and £16,000 (unless you are in receipt of Guarantee Pension Credit) are taken into account. For every £500 (or part thereof) between £10,000 and £16,000 we will have to add £1 to your weekly income.
If you are a Pension Age customer we will add £1 to your weekly income for every £500 (or part thereof) between £10,000 and £16,000. If your savings are more than £16,000 you cannot claim.

We do not count any actual interest you get on your savings.

How can I make a claim for Housing/Council Tax benefit?
You will need to complete an application form. Evidence of your identity, all income, all savings or other capital and your national insurance number must be provided. This information is also required for your partner if you have one. Details of anyone else living in your household are also required.