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Who is eligible?

You don't have to claim an Extended Payment of Council Tax Benefit if you or your partner or civil partner (and they remain a partner throughout the claim) have stopped getting one of the benefits mentioned below because one of you is expected to do one of the following for five weeks or more:

and you've been getting one of the following:

• Jobseeker's Allowance

• Income Support

• Employment and Support Allowance (disabled people section)

• Incapacity Benefit

• Severe Disablement Allowance

How much do you get?

Normally you'll get the same amount of Council Tax Benefit as you did before.

• Council Tax Benefit

• Severe Disablement Allowance

How it's paid

It's deducted from your Council Tax bill in the usual way.

What other help is available

If you are going back to work, your local council will also decide if you can get in-work Council Tax Benefit. Once your extended payment period has ended, you can move onto in-work Council Tax Benefit if you are entitled to it. You will not have to make a new claim.

How to appeal

If you’re refused Council Tax Benefit, Extended Payment or in-work Council Tax Benefit, you can ask your local council to look at the decision again.

If you're still unhappy with the outcome, you can appeal to an independent Appeal Tribunal.

• Appealing against your Council Tax bill (home and community section)

• A to Z of local councils

More useful links

• On a low income benefits

• Local Housing Allowance - rent help for private tenants

• Council Tax reduction for disabled people (disabled people section)

• Increasing your income in retirement (pensions and retirement planning section)

• Beginner's guide to tax