Council Tax Benefit
Information about council tax benefit and how to apply for it.
What is council tax benefit?
Council tax benefit is a welfare benefit paid by the council to help certain groups of people pay their council tax.
Who can claim?
You may claim this benefit if you are liable to pay the council tax and you are in receipt of income support or jobseeker's allowance (income based) or on a low income.
Can students claim?
As the majority of full-time students are exempt from paying council tax, they cannot claim council tax benefit. However, if you are in receipt of income support or jobseeker's allowance (income based), you are a single parent, of pensionable age, or disabled, you may be able to claim and you should make enquiries with the council's benefits section. If you are a full-time student and you have a partner who is not a student, your partner may be able to claim council tax benefit.
How do I make a claim?
If you think that you are entitled to council tax benefit you should obtain an application form from the Benefits Section (see below) and return it, completed, with all relevant documentation to Lancaster Town Hall. If you are in receipt of income support or jobseeker's allowance (income based), you will be given a form by the Department for Works & Pensions (DWP) to claim for this benefit. The form must be completed and returned to them and they will forward it to the council with confirmation that you are in receipt of income support or jobseeker's allowance (income based).
YOU CANNOT RECEIVE COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT IF YOU HAVE NOT COMPLETED AN APPLICATION FORM.
- Download an application form and guidance notes from the right hand downloads menu.
- If you want us to send you an application form contact:
The Benefits Section
Revenue Services
Town Hall
Dalton Square
Lancaster
LA1 1PJ
Alternatively telephone or email us (contact details below).
When is council tax benefit awarded from?
If you qualify for housing benefit it will normally be awarded from the Monday following the date you first contact the Council for an application form. This form must be returned to the Council within one month of the date it is issued. If you are in receipt of income support or jobseeker's allowance (income based) and you make a claim for council tax benefit within one month of the date you claim either benefit, you will be awarded council tax benefit from the date your income support or jobseeker's allowance (income based) entitlement commenced.
Can a claim be backdated?
Yes, providing that you can show that you have good reason for not claiming earlier. If you wish to claim backdated benefit, you must state your reasons on the application form or enclose a covering letter.
How much council tax benefit will I be entitled to?
If you or your partner are in receipt of income support or jobseeker's allowance (income based) you will be entitled to maximum council tax benefit, ie 100% of your council tax bill.
If you have anyone else living with you and that person or persons are not dependent on you, your benefit will be reduced. The amount your benefit will be reduced by will depend on the income and circumstances of the person (or persons) living with you. If neither you nor your partner are in receipt of income support or jobseeker's allowance (income based) the amount of benefit you will receive will depend on your Council Tax Bill, your income (and your partner’s income if you are a couple), your personal circumstances and the income and circumstances of anyone else who lives with you.
If you are jointly liable to pay council tax with someone other than your partner you will receive benefit based on your share of the council tax bill. Please note that joint occupiers must make separate claims for benefit.
The council will automatically calculate whether you will be better off with council tax benefit or alternative council tax benefit.
How is council tax 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 tax section as soon as possible on telephone number 01524 582900.
What can I do if I think the decision about my council tax benefit is wrong?
If you have received a decision about 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 to you, we will look at the decision again. For some decisions, you can appeal to an independent tribunal who can change the decision if they agree that it 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 detailed booklet on the dispute process is available on request from the benefits section.
Change of circumstances
Once you have claimed council tax benefit you are under a duty to inform the 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 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.