Benefits

• Council Tax Benefit is a means tested benefit to help people reduce their council tax bill.
• Housing Benefit is a means tested benefit to help people towards their rent.
• Work out how much you may be entitled to using our benefits calculator (external link)
• Local Housing Allowance is a new housing benefit scheme for private sector tenants and landlords from April 2008.
• Free school meals are provided to parents on low income.
• Awards for good standards
• Complaints we received and how we handled them (.pdf, 17kb)
• Important news for pensioners

Important changes from January 2012 affecting Housing Benefit, Local Housing Allowance and Council Tax Benefit.

There are some changes to Housing Benefit coming into force from Januray 2012 which will affect under 35 year olds . Please click on changes from 2012 for more information. 

From April 2011 onwards, the Government has changed some the rules which apply to Housing Benefit, including Local Housing Allowance (LHA) and Council Tax Benefit. Please click on Changes affecting HB, LHA and CTB for more information.

Where can I get practical help or advice on paying my rent?

The LHA Transition Team can offer practical help with the aim of helping you pay your rent in full. They will also offer help with finding suitable accomodation, especially if your current home is too expensive.

You can contact them on 0845 120 2093 8.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday or via the Help With Rent website (external link)

Making a claim

If you want to make a new claim or if you are already claiming and wish to report a change in your circumstances then do this by going to our online claim forms.

If, however, you need assistance, then check out where you can get help with completing forms.

Contact Details