Do you think you may qualify for Housing and/or Council Tax benefit?
If so, click here to use our benefits calculator. This will advise you if you are entitled to claim benefit. Please be advised that this is a guide only. If you rent privately and are making a claim after 7th April 2008 please be aware that you will need to enter your Local Housing Allowance figure when asked how much rent you are charged. To find out how much your Local Housing Allowance figure is please see LHA rates.
If you are a Pensioner aged 60 or over please contact The Pension Service by telephoning 0845 60 60 265 Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm or visit: www.thepensionservice.gov.uk.
If you are aged upto 59 years old, and need to claim for a state benefit (for example Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance or Incapacity Benefit) please contact the Department for Work and Pensions on 0845 60 26 710.
If you are working age, currently in work, and wish to make a claim for Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit you can select the relevant document(s) below.
These forms are available in Acrobat format. If you do not have this software you can download it free of charge.
Please be aware that the claim form for Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit is 28 pages long. IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SELF EMPLOYED you will also need to complete the Self Employed application form.
You will need to print the form and complete it before signing it and returning it to: Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council, PO Box 191, Civic Offices, London Road, Basingstoke, Hants RG21 7XA. Remember to enclose all supporting documents.
Should you wish to come into the Civic Offices, you can do so during opening hours Monday to Thursday 8:30-5:00, and Friday 8:30-4:30. Please bring with you your completed application form, together with all supporting documents.
What happens next?
Once we have received your completed application form(s) and supporting documents, we will assess your entitlement to Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit. We will then write to you to confirm your entitlement. Should we require any further information we will contact you direct.
Need extra help with your Housing Costs? We may be able to assist you further if you are already in receipt of Housing and/or Council Tax benefit
If your award of Housing or Council Tax Benefit is less that the maximum payable, i.e., your full rent liability, you can apply for further help with your housing costs. This is known as a Discretionary Housing Payment.
These payments are designed as a short term measure to assist you to make changes to your expenditure or look for alternative, cheaper accommodation. They are made from a cash limited funds therefore are mainly awarded in cases of hardship.
Please note that you must have at least £0.50 worth of Housing and Council Tax Benefit in payment, otherwise you will not be entitled to help.
Therefore if your benefit is restricted because of a non-dependant deduction, earnings or because of a Rent officer determination, you can apply for help.
Please complete the form thoroughly and give as much information as possible to your financial circumstances. This then gives us an idea if you need help and for how long.
If you have any question regarding this, please do not hesitate to contact the Benefits Helpline on 01256 810680