The Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit schemes are administered by St Albans District Council on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions.
Housing Benefit
helps people on a low income to pay their rent. It can be paid to people who rent their home from the Council or a Housing Association, and to claimants who rent their home privately from, for example, a high street letting agent.
Council Tax Benefit
helps people on low income to pay their Council Tax. If a person is entitled to Council Tax Benefit, it is credited to their Council Tax account, reducing the amount that they then have to pay. You don't have to be renting your property to be entitled to Council Tax Benefit, you can claim it even if you own your home.
How can I find out if I am entitled to Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit?
If you (and, if applicable, your partner) have savings of over £16,000 then you will not normally be entitled to any help with your Rent or Council Tax.
If you (or your partner) are a pensioner and you have been awarded
Guaranteed Pension Credit, then you can still claim Housing or Council Tax even if you have over £16,000 in savings.
To find out whether you may be entitled to Housing or Council Tax Benefit, you can use our simple on-line benefit calculator by clicking on the link below.
Online benefits calculator
What other benefits might I be entitled to?
You can also visit http://www.entitledto.com/ work out whether you may be entitled to any other state benefits or financial help, such as Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credits.
If you have recently been made redundant you may be entitled to Job Seekers Allowance (which was previously known as Unemployment Benefit). This is not administered by St. Albans District Council, rather it is dealt with by JobCentrePlus, which is part of the Department of Work and Pensions. You can make a claim by telephone by calling 0800 055 6688 (textphone 0800 023 4888). Lines are open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday.
To look for Jobs online you can visit www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk or to speak to a Job Centre adviser about the job vacancies they hold you can call them on 0845 6060 234 (textphone 0845 6055 255). Lines are open for 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm Saturday.
How to claim Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit
Housing and Council Tax Benefit is normally only payable from the Monday following the date we receive your application form. If you think you may be entitled to help with your Rent and Council Tax, it is important that you claim without delay.
To find out how to make an application, please visit the section entitled 'How to claim'.
Beat the benefit cheats
Benefit Fraud is a crime that costs the community millions of pounds each year. You may be able to help us stop benefit fraud by telling us about someone you know who is claiming benefits which they are not entitled to, and you don't have to give us your name.
To report someone who you suspect to be committing Benefit Fraud you can telephone the National Fraudwatch Hotline on 0500 500 777
Alternatively, you can tell us about a benefit thief via the Department of Work and Pensions website - please visit www.dwp.gov.uk/benefitfraud