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Renfrewshire Council Plan 2008 - 2012 About Council Tax Benefit
Home > Services > Council and government > Council tax benefit and housing benefit > About Council Tax Benefit
This page gives information on council tax benefit, including who qualifies for it and how to claim it. You can find out how we calculate your benefit, how we pay it to you, and how to avoid missing out on money you are entitled to if your circumstances change.
Find here the answers to the following questions:
- What is council tax benefit?
- Can I claim council tax benefit?
- Who cannot claim housing or council tax benefit?
- How can I make a claim for housing/council tax benefit?
- Should I continue to pay my rent and council tax whilst I await a decision on my application for housing/council tax benefit?
- How do you work out how much council tax benefit I get?
- When are housing benefit and council tax benefit awarded from?
- Is it only council tenants that can apply for council tax benefit?
- I get council tax benefit, so why did I get a bill that says I owe money?
- How is council tax benefit paid?
We pay council tax benefit to people on a low income to help with the cost of their council tax. To qualify, it doesn't matter whether you own or rent your home, but the address you are claiming benefit for must be classed as being your main home.
There are two main types of council tax benefit, and you can only be given one of them. Either:
1. Main council tax benefit: this is based on the circumstances of the persons who live in the property who are liable for the council tax bill along with any income for any non dependants who also live in the property and are over the age of 18.
2. Second adult rebate: this is based on the circumstances of people in the property who have low incomes but are not liable for the council tax (non dependants - children,relatives over the age of 18).
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Can I claim council tax benefit?
You can only apply for this benefit if you are actually being charged for the council tax - if you are not the person who is liable in a property then you cannot claim. You must also live at the address for which you owe council tax.
If you are living with a partner, whether married or not, you will probably both be responsible for the same council tax bill. You should only make one claim between you, which you should both sign.
The benefit calculator will provide you with an estimate of the council tax benefit and housing benefit you may be entitled to. Every effort has been taken to ensure the calculator's accuracy, However, benefit rules are complicated and the calculator should only be taken as an estimate based on the information you supply. For a full evaluation, you should make a claim.
Please allow time to complete this assessment, although you can save your progress and return to your assessment at a later date.
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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 capital or savings
- You are not a UK citizen or you have not lived in the UK for the past 5 years
- If you are a full-time student, unless you are a full-time student who is also
- receiving Income Support;
- a lone parent or couple who are responsible for a child or foster child;
- disabled;
- under 19 and following a further (not higher) course of education;
- aged 60 or more.
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How can I make a claim for housing/council tax benefit?
You will need to complete an application form and provide us with the following information.
- evidence of your identity
- national insurance number
- all income you are in receipt of
- proof of all capital and savings, if your capital is over £3,000
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Should I continue to pay 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.
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How do you work out how much council tax benefit I get?
We can only pay council tax benefit based on your council tax liability, this is the charge set for your property not including any water and sewerage charge you may have to pay. The water and sewerage charges are set by Scottish Water and are detailed separately on your council tax bill, although you are billed for this along with your council tax.
We take the following factors into account when calculating your benefit:
- your household income
- all capital and savings held by you and your partner
- the personal circumstances of you and any adults in the property
- the amount of your council tax liability
When are housing benefit and council tax benefit awarded from?
Housing benefit and council tax benefit will normally be awarded from the Monday following the day you made your claim. For further information contact us using the link.
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Is it only council tenants that can apply for council tax benefit?
Council Tax benefit is available to everyone who qualifies - not just council tenants- if you are on a low income you should apply for council tax benefit.
To see if you could qualify please try our online calculator.
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I get council tax benefit, so why did I get a bill that says I owe money?
We can only pay council tax benefit based on your council tax liability, this is the charge set for your property not including any water and sewerage charge you may have to pay. The water and sewerage charges are set by Scottish Water and are detailed separately on your council tax bill, although you are billed for this with your council tax bill. You must always follow your council tax notice and pay as instructed.
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How is council tax benefit paid?
We will award your council tax benefit directly into your council tax account.
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