Housing and Council Tax Benefit
Housing Benefit
Housing Benefit is a national welfare benefit which is administered by the Local Authority on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
Housing Benefit provides assistance with the payment of rent to those who are on a low income.
Housing Benefit can be awarded to those who rent their property from Perth and Kinross Council, a Private Housing Association or Private Landlord for the property which they live in. As well as in other circumstances, Housing Benefit does not provide assistance towards any housing costs for a property which is owned by the applicant.
From April 2008, a new Housing Benefit Scheme known as Local Housing Allowance will be introduced for those renting from a Private Landlord. More information on Local Housing Allowance.
Council Tax Benefit
Council Tax Benefit is a national welfare benefit which is administered by the Local Authority on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
Council Tax Benefit provides assistance with the payment of Council Tax to those who are on a low income and can be awarded in two formats:
Main Council Tax Benefit - an award which is made to those who are liable for Council Tax for the property which they live in or
Second Adult Rebate - an award which is made to those who are liable for Council Tax for the property which they live in who also have a second adult in the property who is on a low income. More Information on Second Adult Rebate.
Only one format can be awarded and this can only provide assistance with the payment of Council Tax and so does not cover other charges such as Water and Sewerage.
Am I entitled to Housing and Council Tax Benefit?
Housing and Council Tax Benefit are both means tested benefits which means that the amount that you will be entitled to will depend on your circumstances and of those who live with you.
Housing and Council Tax Benefit can both be awarded unless your circumstances deem that you do not qualify for one benefit but you qualify for the other. As well as many other situations, you may not qualify for either Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit if you are not held as liable for rent and/or Council Tax, respectively.
When an application for Housing and Council Tax Benefit is submitted, an assessment of your income, savings and capital, liability for rent and/or Council Tax and the financial circumstances of any other person in your household will deem if you qualify for any Housing and Council Tax Benefit.
Your circumstances may mean that you do not qualify for the full amount which you are required to pay in rent and Council Tax however you may be entitled to some assistance.
We are currently in the process of developing an online calculator which will allow you to enter your details to see how much you may be entitled to and give you some more explanation of how this calculation works. Until then, you can view our 'Claimant's Guide' by which is available on the right of this page under 'Downloads'. Alternatively, if you feel you may be entitled to Housing and Council Tax Benefit, contact us for more information. If you are calling into the office or by telephone, it is advisable to have details regarding your household circumstances at hand as we can use this information to give work out roughly what you may qualify for. Click here for our full contact details.
Maximum Eligible Rent
If you are applying for Housing Benefit for a property which you currently rent from a private landlord, it will be necessary for Perth and Kinross Council to refer the property to the Rent Registration Service who will advise of the maximum amount of benefit that could be paid for that particular property. The decision which the Rent Registration Service reach does not automatically mean that you will receive that amount in Housing Benefit as your circumstances will then determine how much of this amount you are entitled to.
Considering Moving
If you are thinking of moving to a private address but you are concerned that you may not be able to meet the financial commitment, we can carry out a Pre-Tenancy Determination.
A Pre-Tenancy Determination is sent by Perth and Kinross Council to the Rent Registration Service before you have signed any agreement for a new property.
A Pre-Tenancy Determination form is required to be completed by the prospective tenant giving full details of the property, who will occupy this and details of the landlord. This must be signed by the prospective tenant(s) and landlord.
You can obtain a form for a Pre-Tenancy Determination from our downloads on the right hand side of this page or by contacting us. For full contact details, 'Click Here'.
Once the decision is returned, you will then receive a copy. Remember, the amount on the decision is not necessarily what you will receive however once you have the decision, you can contact us and we can carry out a calculation to give you an idea of what your entitlement could be.
How to Claim Housing and Council Tax Benefit
For information on how to claim Housing and Council Tax Benefit, visit our How to Claim Section.
