Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support are available for people on a low income who may need help towards the cost of their rent or council tax.
Universal Credit (UC) has rolled out to all postcodes in the Rochford District.
If you are of working age and or a mixed age pensioner couple who would have made a new claim for Housing Benefit you now need to apply for the housing element of Universal Credit.
However, there are some exceptions where a new claim for Housing Benefit can still be made:
- Living in specified/supported accommodation.
- Living in temporary accommodation.
If you meet one or more of the exceptions (1 or 2) above, you can continue to apply for Housing Benefit.
You can click here to make an online application.
You can also download a claim form by clicking on the link in the related content section.
Mixed Age Pensioner Couples after 15 May 2019
Changes to the way that couples are treated for Housing Benefit and Pension Credit when one member is over the age for Pension Credit and the other member is under Pension Credit age (known as 'mixed age' couples) have been introduced from 15 May 2019.
For information on the age when you qualify for Pension Credit - see check state pension age link in the Related Content section.
From 15 May 2019 the age of the youngest member of a couple will determine whether you qualify for Housing Benefit and Pension Credit. In most cases this will mean you will need to claim Universal Credit instead.
You can still claim working age Housing Benefit if either of the exceptions (A or B) applies to you.
Universal Credit does not include help towards paying your Council Tax. If you are on a low income and you wish to apply for help to reduce your Council Tax bill, you can download a form by clicking on the link.
If you are already receiving Housing Benefit certain changes in circumstances will trigger a claim for Universal Credit and your claim for Housing Benefit may end. For further information please visit the Gov.uk link in Related Content.
If you think you will qualify for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support don’t delay, claim straight away. Normally any help you are entitled to will only start from the week after we receive your claim. You can claim by phoning us on 01702 318197 or 01702 318198, or downloading a claim form in Related Content.
Local Council Tax Support
Are you ?
- Working Age?
- Please visit our page on "Local Council Tax Support for Working Age People", if you, or your partner if you have one, are not old enough to claim a State Retirement Pension
- Pension Age?
- Please visit our page on "Local Council Tax Support for Pension Age People", if you, and your partner if you have one, are old enough to claim a State Retirement Pension.
If you are unsure please Check your State Pension age - GOV.UK.
To help you find out which benefits and support you could be entitled to please visit the Benefits Calculator website.