Second Adult Rebate (Alternative Council Tax Benefit)
Information about alternative council tax benefit and how to apply for it.
What is 2nd adult rebate/alternative council tax benefit?
Alternative council tax benefit (also known as second adult rebate) is a welfare benefit paid by the council. It is designed to help people who are liable to pay the council tax and who share their home with someone who is on a low income.
Who can claim?
People who are liable to pay the council tax and:
- who would not normally qualify for council tax benefit because their income or capital is too high and;
- who share their home with a person or persons who have a low income.
Full time students who share their home with another person or persons who is not a full time student can also claim.
Note: It is the person who is liable to pay the council tax that must claim the alternative council tax benefit.
Who can't claim?
You can only claim this benefit if you are liable to pay the council tax.
You can not claim this benefit if the other person(s) that you share your home with is:
- Your spouse or partner
- Under 18 years of age
- Paying you rent or anyone else in your home is paying you rent
- A joint owner or tenant of the property
What is the difference between council tax benefit and alternative council tax benefit?
Council tax benefit is calculated using the income and personal circumstances of the person (and partner, if any) who is liable to pay the council tax. Alternative council tax benefit is claimed by the person who is liable to pay the council tax but is based on the gross income of anyone else who lives in the household.
Can I claim both types of council tax benefit?
Yes. However, if you are entitled to both you will only be awarded one of them. You cannot receive both. The council will calculate your entitlement to both and will award you the one that is the most advantageous to you.
How do I make a claim?
Please contact us for an application form by post to:
The Benefits Team
Revenue Services
P O Box 4
Lancaster
LA1 1QR
Alternatively you can call into Lancaster or Morecambe Town Hall from 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday, telephone or email your request to us (please see contact details below) or download an application form from the downloads list at the right hand side of the page.
When is the benefit awarded from?
If you qualify for 2nd adult rebate it will normally be awarded from the Monday following the date you first contact the council for an application form, providing the form is returned within one month of the date it is issued. Otherwise benefit will be paid from the Monday after the form is received by the council.
Can a claim be backdated?
Yes, you can request backdated benefit if there is a good reason why you did not claim earlier. You must be able to show continuous good cause from the date you are requesting that benefit is paid from, to the date that the claim is made.
Backdating is limited to 3 months for pensioners and 6 months for working age customers.
How is this benefit calculated?
The benefit is calculated using the gross income of the other adult or adults who are living with you. It is important therefore, that you provide details of all the income received by the adult(s). You are not required to show details of your own personal circumstances or income.
How much benefit will I be entitled to?
The amount of benefit you will be entitled to will depend on the income of the other adult(s). If there is more than one person living with you, the income of these persons will be added together and the total will be used to decide how much you will be entitled to. The amount of benefit you will receive will be a percentage of your council tax bill (maximum of 25%).
For an estimate of your entitlement to 2nd adult rebate, use the Online Benefits Calculator.
The process is simple and straightforward - however only an estimate of entitlement can be given. A claim form will need to be completed in order that a full assessment can be done.
How is the benefit paid?
If you are awarded this benefit, normally the amount you are entitled to will be used to reduce your council tax bill. However, if you have paid your council tax in full for the year you will be entitled to repayment of the amount of benefit. Alternatively, you may wish to have the amount of benefit you are entitled to carried forward to your next year's council tax bill.
If you do, you must notify the council as soon as possible on telephone number 01524 582900.
What can I do if I think the decision about my alternative council tax benefit is wrong?
If you have received a decision about alternative council tax benefit and you think the decision is wrong, you can ask us to explain it or request a written statement of reasons.
If you still think it is wrong after we have explained it, you can ask us to look at it again or you can appeal against the decision. If you appeal, an independent tribunal will decide if the decision is wrong.
If you want us to look at the decision again or if you want to appeal against it, you must do so within one calendar month of the date on the decision letter.
A more detailed booklet on the dispute process is available on request.
Change of circumstances
Once you have claimed council tax benefit or alternative council tax benefit you have a duty to inform the council's benefits team within one calendar month of any changes in your income and circumstances and the income and circumstances of anyone else who lives with you.
If you move to a new address you must inform the council's benefits team immediately. You may need to make a fresh claim for council tax benefit.
You may lose any increase in benefit that may be due to you if you do not tell us about changes of circumstances quickly.