Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit - new claim

Housing Benefits are to help people on low incomes pay their rent and Council Tax. 

Am I eligible?

You will need to fill out the benefits calculator. It will give you an estimate of how much benefit you may be entitled to.

To find out how much housing benefit you could be entitled to you will need to use the Room calculator and then check that result against the Local Housing Allowance page and then input the information into the benefit calculator.

Can I claim Housing Benefit?

• It must be your main home 
• You have to pay rent and/or Council Tax
• You must be entitled to either Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Pension Credit, or have a low income
• You must provide National Insurance Numbers for anyone who lives in the property and evidence for this 
• You need to show us evidence of your identity
• You need to supply evidence that you live in the property 
• It doesn't matter whether you are in work (employed or self employed) or not
• You can get Housing Benefit even if you do not receive any other benefits
• You may be single or have a partner
• You may be in a civil partnership or living together as if in a civil partnership
• You may be a pensioner
• You do not need to have paid any National Insurance contributions.

If you are a full-time student, unless you are disabled, or have dependent children, you may not qualify.

You will not be entitled to Housing Benefit if you live in the same household as and pay rent to a close relative.

Make a claim

You can make a new claim by completing the application form, calling 01622 602557 or visiting the Maidstone Gateway in King Street.

If you are making a new claim for Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support or Employment and Support Allowance through the Job Centre, they will take all the details we need for Housing/Council Tax Benefit and pass these details on to us - you do not need to make a separate claim with us.

How long will it take?

We aim to process all new claims and change of circumstances within 14 days. Your claim for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit may take longer if you delay in providing this evidence. Our Supporting Document List gives examples of the documents you can provide to us.