Council Tax Support and Housing Benefit

Important Changes to the Council Tax Benefit Scheme

The existing Council Tax Benefit Scheme which helps people on low income to pay their Council Tax is being abolished and replaced from April 2013 by new local financial support schemes, called Council Tax Support.

The Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk has decided to keep the rules around claiming Council Tax Support the same as Council Tax Benefit for 2013/2014.

This means that the amount of help you receive will not be affected from April 2013. Any existing Council Tax benefit claims will be known as Council Tax Support from the 1 April 2013 and anybody making a new claim for benefit after the 1 April 2013 will be placed on the new Council Tax Support scheme.

Council Tax Support

Council Tax Support is a benefit administered by the Council, on behalf of the Government, that helps you to meet the cost of your Council Tax. It is paid to people who are liable for Council Tax, (the person whose name is on the bill) and who have a low income, whether they are working or not. From April 2013 council tax support will replace council tax benefit.

Council Tax Support is a means tested benefit, which means we will need to know about all your income and capital in order to see if you are entitled.

If you have to pay Council Tax and your income is low, you can claim, regardless of whether you are retired, unemployed, or in full or part-time work.

If you have over £16,000 savings you will not be entitled to any help, unless you receive the guarantee element of Pension Credit.

Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit is similar to Council Tax Support but is used to meet the cost of your rental accommodation, for both Housing Association properties and private tenancies.

Housing Benefit can pay up to 100% of your rent, although it will not generally meet all the service cost your landlord might charge. If you are a private tenant we will only pay up to a rent level that is at or below the local average.

Housing Benefit is a means tested benefit, which means we will need to know about all your income and capital in order to see if you are entitled. If you have over £16,000 savings you will not be entitled, unless you receive the guarantee element of Pension Credit.

How to claim Council Tax Support and Housing Benefit

Claim form

You need to complete and return a standard Council Tax Support and Housing Benefit Claim Form (pdf 639Kb) which is available on this website and at all our main offices listed below:

King's Lynn - Kings Court, Chapel Street

Hunstanton - Valentine Road

Downham Market - Priory Road

To see what documents you should include with your claim, please see the page on supporting evidence.

You may be able to have your council tax bill reduced, regardless of your own circumstances (including earnings and savings) because other people who live with you are on benefit or a low income. In such cases you should make a claim for Second Adult Rebate .

You cannot claim Second Adult Rebate if you are married or have a partner.

Online Benefit Calculator

You can complete our Online Benefits Calculator to find out whether you could be entitled to any help towards your rent or council tax.

When should I claim?

Generally, you should claim as soon as you believe you may be entitled as there are strict rules in housing benefit and council tax support governing the time-limits for which claims can be submitted.

We can also accept advance claims (e.g. if you know you are moving into a new property in 2 weeks time). Advance claims can be accepted providing that they are within 13 weeks of the date you will become entitled to benefit.