What is housing benefit?

Housing benefit is designed to support tenants on a low income to help towards meeting their rental payments.  This is based on their income, savings and additional income from other members of their household.  A notification would be issued from the council giving a weekly breakdown of the income used to assess the claim, together with a weekly award of any support that they are entitled to.  Any award is paid on either a fortnightly basis to the tenant or in some circumstances a four weekly basis to their landlord.  Any shortfall in the rent would be payable by the tenant to the landlord.

Council tax support is a reduction in your council tax for those on a low income. It is based on the claimants income, savings and additional income from other members of the household.  Any council tax reduction awarded will be automatically added to your council tax account.  A notification would be issued from the council detailing what the weekly support you have been awarded. In addition, the council will send a revised council tax demand notice for the year including council tax support. This will show your new payment schedule detailing the council tax instalments that you have to pay.