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Who is eligible?

To get an estimate of benefits that you may get (whether you're working or not), including Council Tax Benefit, use the online benefits adviser.

• Benefits adviser

Council Tax Benefit

You may get Council Tax Benefit if you pay Council Tax and your income and capital (savings and investments) are below a certain level. You may apply whether you rent or own your home, or live rent-free. You could qualify if you are out of work, or in work and earning a wage.

Second Adult Rebate

You may get Second Adult Rebate if the person you share your home with is:

You may be able to get Second Adult Rebate even if you don't receive Council Tax Benefit. If you're either:

Who isn't eligible?

If you have savings of over £16,000 you can't normally get Council Tax Benefit, unless you're getting the 'guarantee credit' of Pension Credit.

Your income and savings won't affect Second Adult Rebate. Second Adult Rebate is based on the other person's circumstances.

Most asylum seekers and people sponsored to be in the UK won't get Council Tax Benefit.

How to check eligibility

If you think you may be eligible for Council Tax Benefit, the link below will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more.

• Check your eligibility for Council Tax Benefit with your council Opens new window

Important changes for people receiving Child Benefit

Child Benefit is no longer counted as income when working out how much Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit you can get.

This means that some people currently receiving Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit payments will receive more benefit with which to pay their rent and council tax.

In addition, some low income families may now get Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit as a result of this change. If you think you may now be entitled, contact your local council.

How much do you get?

To work out your Council Tax Benefit, your local council will look at:

The most Council Tax Benefit you can get is 100 per cent reduction on your bill.

If you're entitled to Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or the 'guarantee credit' of Pension Credit you could get maximum help with your Council Tax.

Second Adult Rebate

If you're entitled to both Council Tax Benefit and Second Adult Rebate you'll get the one that gives you most money.

How it's paid

Council Tax Benefit and Second Adult Rebate reduce your Council Tax bill. You'll get a new bill showing the reduced amount of Council Tax you have to pay.

Effect on other financial help

Council Tax Benefit and Second Adult Rebate won't affect other benefits you get.

How to claim

If you're looking for work

You can claim Council Tax Benefit (including Second Adult Rebate) and Housing Benefit with your claim for the following benefits:

• Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Jobseeker's Allowance

Call Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688.

If you speak Welsh, call 0800 012 1888, or if you can’t speak or hear clearly call the textphone 0800 023 4888.

Lines are open Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 6.00 pm (lines are normally less busy before 9.00 am).

Jobcentre Plus will send details of your claim for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit to your local council.

If you’re claiming Pension Credit

You can claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (including Second Adult Rebate) with your claim for Pension Credit.

Call The Pension Service on 0800 991 234, or if you can’t speak or hear clearly call the textphone 0800 169 0133.

Lines are open Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 8.00 pm, Saturday 9.00 am to 1.00 pm.

If you speak Welsh, call 0800 012 1888 (textphone 0800 023 4888). Lines are open Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 6.00 pm.

An adviser will help you apply for these benefits and let you know what happens next.

The Pension Service will send details of your claims for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit to your local council.

• Pension Credit

• Employment and Support Allowance (disabled people section)

• Jobseeker's Allowance

• Income Support

If you're not claiming other benefits

If you’re not claiming Pension Credit, Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance you can get a form for Council Tax Benefit, Second Adult Rebate and Housing Benefit from your local council.

• Visit the Council Tax pages of your council website Opens new window

• Contact Jobcentre Plus Opens new window

Download a claim form

You can download a claim form from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) website.

• Download 'Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit claim form' (PDF, 179K) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

Claiming in advance

You can make a claim up to 13 weeks (17 weeks if you're aged 60 or over) before you become entitled to Council Tax Benefit. So if you know you're moving to a new address soon, you can claim Council Tax Benefit before you move. You won't usually get any money before you move in.

Backdating a claim

You may be able to get your Council Tax Benefit claim backdated if there's a valid reason why you weren't able to claim earlier.

The following links will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more.

• Find out about backdating of Council Tax Benefit claims Opens new window

• Apply for backdating of Council Tax Benefit Opens new window

What to do if your circumstances change

You must tell your local council if for example:

This isn't a full list. You have a responsibility to report changes in circumstances. Failure to do so could result in a fraud prosecution or losing your benefit. Follow the links below to your local authority website to find out more.

• Check which changes in circumstance affect Council Tax Benefit claims Opens new window

• Report change of circumstances relating to Council Tax Benefit Opens new window

Getting Council Tax Benefit in work

You can get Council Tax Benefit when you get a job and earn a wage. You may also get other benefits and support to help you stay in work.

See 'Benefits and help when going back to work' to find out more.

• Benefits and help when going back to work

• Extended Payment of Council Tax Benefit

How to appeal

If you're refused Council Tax Benefit or aren't happy with your council's decision you can ask them to reconsider. If you're still unhappy with the outcome, you can appeal to an independent Unified Appeal Tribunal.

Follow the links below to your local authority website to find out more.

• Find out about appeals relating to Council Tax Benefit decisions Opens new window

• Appeal against a Council Tax Benefit decision Opens new window

• How to appeal against a benefits decision

Council Tax reduction for disabled people

You may be entitled to a reduction in Council Tax if you're disabled or have a disabled person living with you.

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