How do I claim housing and council tax benefit?

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Last revised: 31 October 2008

The form you complete will depend on what other benefit you are also claiming.

If you are also making a new claim for:

Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance or Employment Support Allowance:

Your claim for Housing and Council Tax Benefit can be made at the Job Centre Plus office when you make your claim for the other benefit. The Job Centre Plus will then send the form to the Council. Alternatively you can claim directly with us using the claim form below.

Pension Credit

Your claim for Housing and Council Tax Benefit can be made with the Pension Service as part of your claim for Pension Credit. The Pension Service will forward the form to the Council. Alternatively you can claim directly with us using the claim form below.

If you are not making a new claim for any of the above

or you are already receiving one of these benefits and are now making a new claim for Housing or Council Tax Benefit you should complete the Councils Application Form (pdf, 322 KB)

Where the claim is made direct to the local authority entitlement generally begins on the Monday following receipt of the claim, even if a claim is received on a Monday. However if you let us know it is your intention to claim, and we receive your completed form within one month of this date, then your claim can start from the Monday following the date you have told us you want to claim.  To register your first point of contact please complete our form by clicking the link below, or you can telephone our office on 01380 724911.

Register date of first contact form

A claim may be backdated for a maximum of 3 months if you are aged 60 or over or 6 months if you are working age.  This is with effect from when a backdate request is made, where the claimant can demonstrate 'good cause' as to why the claim was not made earlier. If you wish to claim backdated benefit you should complete the backdated claim form

At Kennet District Council any claim for Benefit will automatically be assessed for both Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. When you claim benefit you will be asked to provide the Council with information about yourself and your household.


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