Council Tax Benefit is a national
means tested benefit designed to help people on a low income
pay their Council Tax. You can claim Council Tax Benefit if you are
liable to pay Council Tax. The amount of
benefit you would qualify for depends on:
- Your income (and that of your partner if you have one).
- Your personal circumstances.
- If any other adults (apart from your partner) live with
you.
- The amount of rent and Council Tax you pay.
You may:
- Have a partner or be single.
- Be a pensioner.
- Be employed or self employed.
You can claim Council Tax Benefit if:
- You are on Income Support or claiming Job Seekers
Allowance.
- You are on a low income (this includes people who are self
employed).
You cannot get Council Tax Benefit if:
- You, or your partner between you, have more than £16,000 in
savings, unless you are in receipt of Guarantee Credit.
A partner is someone you are married to or in a civil
partnership with, or someone you live with as if you were married
to them, or in a civil partnership with.
How do I make a claim?
You can call us on 01394 444838 to find
out if you qualify or you
can use an online calculator (new window) to get an
indication of your entitlement but please note that the results
returned by the calculator should not be used as a
definitive indication of your entitlement to benefit.
If you have other non-dependants on low income living with
you, you may qualify for a 'second adult rebate' which we can
calculate at the same time as your Council Tax Benefit. You cannot
get both Council Tax Benefit and second adult rebate at the same
time. If you qualify for both, we will give you the one that
reduces your Council Tax bill the most.
To claim Council Tax Benefit and second adult
rebate you should complete a claim form which you we will
send you in the post if you call us on 01394
444838 or email
benefits@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk
with your name and address.
Alternatively, you can print off a claim form by
selecting the link below.
Follow this link for help with downloading and opening PDF files.
After you have filled in the form, send it to us at the address
below as soon as you can. If you do not send it quickly, you
could lose benefit. If you need help filling in the form, someone
from the Benefits Team will be able to help you - just call us on
01394 444838.
If you are married, or living with someone as if you are married
to them, you only need to fill in one claim form. You'll need to
tell us about the money you both have.
Benefits Team,
Suffolk Coastal District Council,
Melton Hill,
Woodbridge,
Suffolk IP12 1AU.
Making a benefit claim online
You can use our new service to make a claim for Housing Benefit
and or Council Tax Benefit online. Follow this link to
find out more about making a benefit claim
online.
Proof of earnings
You must send us, or bring in proof of the money you earn, so we
can work out your Council Tax Benefit.
If you work for an employer - you will have to
send us:
- Your last 5 payslips, if you are paid weekly.
- Your last 2 payslips, if you are paid monthly.
If you are self-employed - please send us your
most recent accounts. If you cannot do this, get in touch with us
for more advice.
If you cannot send the information now - do not
delay sending in your claim if the proof we ask for is not
available at the moment. But you must send this information as soon
as possible. We cannot work out your benefit without it.
Follow this link for information about
how we work out how much Council
Tax Benefit you are entitled to.
When will I be paid and when does my benefit start?
All Council Tax benefit claims are dealt with as soon as
possible and payment usually made within 14 days. Your benefit will
usually start from the Monday following the date you first
contacted either the local authority (this office) or the
Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). This can be by telephone,
letter, email, or the day you visit these offices to request a
claim form. You then have one month to complete and return the form
to the Benefits Office. If your form is returned after the month,
the date your benefit starts would be the Monday following the date
the form is received. If you request benefit to be paid from an
earlier date this is called ‘backdating’. Benefit can be backdated
for up to three months if you are of State Pension age, or up to
six months for claimants of working age.
If you think your benefit should start earlier
If you think your benefit should start earlier, you can say so
on the form, or in an attached letter. Please write down the date
you think your benefit should start and the reason why you did not
claim earlier. If you get benefit from an earlier date, it is
called 'backdating'. Your benefit can be backdated for up to three
months if you are of State Pension age, or up to six months for
claimants of working age, if you have a good reason for not
claiming earlier. However, the good reason must cover the whole
period you wish the claim to be backdated for.
How will I be paid?
We will pay your Council Tax Benefit straight to your Council
Tax account. You will get a bill showing any reduced amount you
have to pay after benefit has been awarded.
Changes in your circumstances
Your benefit is worked out using the information you have given
in your benefit application form. If your circumstances change, you
must tell us as it may affect your benefit entitlement. Follow this
link for more information
about the changes you must tell us about.
What happens if we give you too much benefit?
If we give you too much benefit or second adult rebate, we will
send you a letter. When we give you too much benefit, we call it an
'overpayment'. The letter we send you will tell you:
- Why we have you too much benefit.
- How much the overpayment is.
- If you have to pay back the amount.
- How you can appeal if you think this is wrong.
In most cases we will send you a revised Council Tax bill, and
you will usually have to pay more Council Tax.
Help and advice
For general questions or advice or if you need a home
visit because of age, disability or other circumstances
please call us on 01394 444838 or email
benefits@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk.
You can also get help and information by
visiting our offices in Woodbridge and
Felixstowe.
For free independent help and advice on Housing and Council
Tax Benefit contact your local Citizen's Advice Bureau.
Back to
the Housing and Council Tax Benefit introduction
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