If you are on a low wage, or receiving any welfare benefits, you may be entitled to help towards your rent through housing benefit.

Housing benefit only covers that part of your rent that relates to pure housing costs and will not cover charges for water rates, heating, lighting or deposits. This means you will have to pay some of the cost yourself.

You can get an idea of how much housing benefit you are entitled to by following the link below to our benefits calculator. Alternatively you can download a claim form for housing and council tax benefits from the bottom of the page. Notes to help you complete the form are also available.

We now have an easier way to claim housing and council tax benefit. Teleclaim is quick, easy to use and helps us to process your claim more quickly. You don't have to fill in any forms or visit our offices. To find out more follow the link below about making a Teleclaim.

If you are single and under 25 follow the link below to find out about special rules for under 25s.

There may be an occasion when you receive an overpayment of benefit. This could be because your circumstances change, for example someone moves in with you, or your income changes. You should always tell us if your circumstances change. If you receive an invoice from us for overpayment of benefits you can pay us online. Follow the link below to paying online where you should select invoices.

Date Updated: 08/06/09

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Claiming Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit	Notes on how to fill in the housing benefit and council tax benefit claim form	63KB 56Kbps Modem: Less than 1 Minute Broadband : Less than 1 Minute