Council tax benefit
Who can apply for council tax support?
Council tax support helps people on low incomes pay their council tax.
You can claim council tax support if you are aged 18 or over and you have to pay council tax on your home.
Anyone who is liable for council tax can claim council tax support:
- You can claim council tax support even if you are working
- You do not have to be receiving any other benefits
- You can even claim council tax support if you already get a discount on your council tax, for example, if you live alone
- You don't need to have paid any national insurance contributions
You can live in a:
- Council property
- Privately rented or housing association accommodation
- House you are buying or have already bought
Do you share your home with someone who isn't your partner?
If so, you may qualify for second adult rebate.
Second adult rebate is help with your council tax bill if you share your home with one or more adults.
To qualify for second adult rebate the person who shares with you must not be your partner (a person you are married to or a person you live with as if you are married to them).
Is the person who shares your home:
- Aged 18 or over?
- Not your partner?
- Not paying you rent?
- Not liable to pay council tax themselves?
If you can answer yes to all, then you may qualify for second adult rebate.
Second adult rebate is based on the circumstances of the person who shares your home.
Your income and savings will not have an effect on second adult rebate.
If you are entitled to both council tax support and second adult rebate, we will pay the one which gives you the most money.
Make a claim
To claim council tax support or second adult rebate, contact the Benefit Team on 0191 4244333.
If you think you qualify for council tax support or second adult rebate, make your claim straight away or you may lose benefit.
Read more about council tax support - Directgov: Council tax benefit
If you live in rented accommodation you may also be entitled to Housing benefit
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