Council Tax Benefit

Council Tax Benefit is money off your Council Tax bill. It means that you do not have as much to pay.

Council Tax Benefit can be paid in addition to any other reductions in your bill, for example because you live alone.

You may still qualify for Council Tax Benefit even if:

You are working
You have other income such as a works pension or a private pension
You have savings, unless they are more than £16,000

How much can I get?

The amount of Council Tax you get depends on your individual circumstances and takes account of any income you get from working, pensions, benefits and tax credits, any savings over £6,000 and your household circumstances including any other people who live with you.

Single people, couples and families of all ages can get Council Tax Benefit. There is no minimum amount of Council Tax Benefit. Even if you are only entitled to £1 per week that still means over £50 coming off your bill.

For example:

A pensioner living alone with a Council Tax bill for £1000 might still get some help where their weekly income is as much as £233 per week;

A pensioner couple in the same circumstances could be getting as much as £302 per week and still qualify;

A couple with 3 children who are working could also get help if their income (including child benefit and tax credits) is £350 per week

REMEMBER: These are only examples. You could get more if your Council Tax bill is more than £1,000 or someone in your household is sick or disabled, so check it out now, even if you think you will not be entitled.

If your income is too high to qualify but you are a single person living with another adult who is not your partner and who is on a low income, you might still get some help. This is called Second Adult Rebate and is worked out based on the income of the person who is living with you.

Millions of Council Tax Benefit goes unclaimed each year!

Every year thousands of people in Birmingham who are entitled to Council Tax Benefit do not claim. This means that all of these people are having to pay more Council Tax than they should.

Getting help and advice

If you have recently started work after claiming Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance – you will need to contact your local Job Centre Plus if you haven’t already done so. They will take the details from you in relation to your Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit and pass these to us.

If you are no longer in employment - you will need to visit your local Job Centre Plus if you haven’t already done so. They will take your details and pass them to the Benefit Service who will calculate your claim.

If your household income has reduced or increased and you are already claiming Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit - you will need to report a Change in Circumstance. You can do this by contacting Benefit Service on 0121 464 7000. You can also report a Change In Circumstance. You can do this by contacting the Benefit Service on 0121 464 7000.

If you have moved and were getting Housing or Council Tax Benefit at your old address - you will need to report a Change in Circumstance. You can do this by contacting Benefit Service on 0121 464 7000.

If there has been a change in the make-up of your household, e.g. someone has left or moved in - you will need to report a Change in Circumstance. You can do this by contacting Benefit Service on 0121 464 7000.

If you are not currently getting Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit - you will need to make an application. You can do this by selecting the New Benefit Claims button within the related links box and using our new online self service application form. This is a quicker, easier and more convenient way for you to claim benefit. Alternatively, you can ring our Contact Centre on 0121 464 7000 who will make an appointment for an advisor to call you back and complete your application form over the telephone.

If you would prefer to complete a claim yourself, you can download and print off the attached form, which can be found at the bottom of this page. This form should be completed and returned with the required supporting evidence to: The Benefit Service, PO BOX 8267, Birmingham, B4 7XF