Keep up to date with the latest news and developments in Housing & Council Tax Benefit.

Helpful Information if You Have Been Affected by the Recession

The Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) have produced a leaflet to give you advice about whether you might be able to get Housing Benefit if you have been affected by the Economic Downturn and are planning to sell your home and then rent it from the new owner.

Download the Leaflet

You can download a copy of this leaflet by clicking on the link: Advice for homeowners - sale and rent back.

Future Developments and Changes

April 2010

From April 2010 you will no longer be able to receive more Local Housing Allowance than you have to pay in rent. If you currently receive this, you will be moved on to the new arrangements when your Local Housing Allowance rate is reviewed. This is normally on the anniversary of your claim.

Recent Developments and Changes

November 2009

Child Benefit Disregard

Did you know that, from 2 November 2009, Child Benefit will no longer be counted as part of your income for Housing and Council Tax Benefit?

If you do not receive either Housing or Council Tax Benefit, this change in rules could mean that you may be entitled to claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit now. To make sure you benefit from this change, please make sure that you provide proof that you are receiving Child Benefit when you hand in your Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit claim form.

If you already claim Housing and Council Tax Benefit, we will have already recalculated your entitlement for you so that you can benefit from this change in the rules.

Changes to Capital Disregard for Pensioners

From 2 November 2009, if you are over 60 and living on a low income, we will no longer count £10,000 of your capital when we look at your Housing and Council Tax Benefit claim.

If you do not receive either Housing or Council Tax Benefit, this change in the rules could mean that you may now be entitled to claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

If you already claim Housing and Council Tax Benefit, we will have already recalculated your entitlement for you so that you can benefit from this change in the rules.

April 2009

Local Housing Allowance Restricted to Five Bedroom Rate

Following the April 2009 Budget, Local Housing rate has been restricted to the five bedroom rate. This change will come into action from April 2009. Therefore, if you claim Housing Benefit for a property with six bedrooms or more, the rate applied to your benefit calculation will be the five bedroom rate.

To find out your entitlement please click on the Benefits Calculator.