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- Housing Benefit is to help those on a low income to pay their rent.
- Council Tax Benefit is to help those on a low income to pay their Council Tax.
- These benefits can be paid at the same time to someone who is liable to pay rent and Council Tax.
Please note: Homeowners are not entitled to Housing Benefit. If you are an owner–occupier and need help with your mortgage repayments you should contact the Department for Work and Pensions through the local Jobcentre Plus office.
Who can apply for Council Tax Benefit?
You can claim Council Tax Benefit if you are responsible for paying Council Tax for the property in which you reside. i.e. you are the person named on the bill.
Who can apply for Housing Benefit?
You can claim Housing Benefit if you pay rent. This could be as a private tenant, Council tenant, housing association tenant, sub-tenant or lodger.
The amount you will receive will be based on your income and circumstances.
Applications
You can now apply for Housing and Council Tax Benefits using our electronic form.
The online Housing and Council Tax Benefits claim form has been designed to be easy to fill in.
- It will guide you as you work through it and ensure you only fill in the relevant sections to your claim.
- Check for errors and highlight anything you have missed.
- It will also securely transmit all your information using encryption software.
Please remember to write down and keep safe your unique reference number exactly as you see it so that you can return to it at a later date if you do not wish to complete straight away. This number is given to you when you start a new electronic claim.
If you need help in completing the claim form you can refer to our 'Guide to using our Electronic Claim Form' in Related Documents below, or please call at any of our Connections offices in Torquay, Paignton or Brixham or telephone the Council's benefit helpline on 01803 207201. You will need to provide proof of your circumstances so if you call into the Connections offices, it would be useful if you bring with you your tenancy agreement, proof of income and recent bank statements.
If you are claiming Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance or Pension Credit you can claim Housing and Council Tax Benefit at the same time through the Jobcentre or Pensions Service.
Please note: Entitlement to Housing and/or Council Tax benefit will usually start from the Monday following the date your form is received or the date you have first contacted the Council about making a claim.
We have staff trained in British Sign Language to assist if you are deaf or hard of hearing. If they are not available when you visit the office, we will make you an appointment as soon as possible.
Related Documents
All documents open in a new window. Need more help with documents? View the Document Help page.
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Guide to using our Electronic Claim Form
Step-by-step guide for making an electronic claim for Housing and Council Tax Benefits
Last updated: 19/12/2011, 9:12am (453 KB) -
Benefits: Dealing with your Claim
A short leaflet explaining how the Council will deal with your benefit claim.
Last updated: 20/01/2009, 5:49pm (54 KB) -
Benefits Appeals Guidance
Every Customer has the right to appeal against the decision made about their claim for Benefit, this form explains your rights, how to appeal and what happens after you make an appeal.
Last updated: 13/09/2006, 3:47pm (463 KB)
Contact Benefits Service
- Tel: 01803 207201
- Email: housing.benefits@torbay.gov.uk
- Fax: 01803 292866
