Council Tax Benefits provide help towards paying your Council Tax. You can claim it in addition to any discounts you may be eligible for.
Who can claim it?
If you are on a low income and pay council tax, you can claim Council Tax Benefit.
You cannot claim Council Tax Benefit if:
- You have savings of £16,000 or more (unless you are currently in receipt of Pension Credits (Guaranteed Credit).
- You are a student - however there are three eligible groups of students who can apply. They are:
- students aged 60 plus,
- students who have a partner who is single, and
- students who fall within 11 specific groups and couples (unless you are both students and do not fall within the 11 specific groups).
Please contact us for further information.
Your claim will be affected if:
- You have savings over £3,000 - this will reduce the amount of benefit you are entitled to - from April 1 2006 your claim will only be affected if you have savings over £6,000.
- You have a non-dependant living in your household benefit may be reduced. The amount of reduction will depend on the income of the non-dependant.
Second Adult Rebate
Second Adult Rebate is to help where you share your home with one adult or more who does not pay Council Tax. The person who shares your home must not be your partner (a person you are married to or a person you live with as if married).
You can apply for Second Adult Rebate if all of the following apply to the person who shares your home:
- They are aged 18 or over
- They are not paying you rent
- They are not receiving Council Tax Benefit themselves
Second Adult Rebate can be claimed regardless of your own income and capital, as it is worked out on the income and capital of the other adult(s). If you already get Council Tax Benefit you will not need to claim Second Adult Rebate.
How do I claim Council Tax Benefit?
If you want to claim Council Tax Benefit then download our application form below. It is a joint Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit application form that can be used for either or both benefits. You may also need to complete the application form for backdating benefit.
Do not delay returning the form to us as you may lose benefit to which you are entitled. You can claim up to 13 weeks in advance, so if you know you are moving to Eastbourne soon or your circumstances are about to change you can claim now.
