Who Can Claim?

Housing Benefit

You can claim Housing Benefit if you are responsible for paying the rent for your home to a private landlord, a housing association or the Council and you are either in specified supported accommodation or temporary accommodation. Remember you cannot claim Housing Benefit if you are receiving help with your housing costs within your Universal Credit.

If you and if applicable your partner are both of pensionable age then you can claim Housing Benefit if you are responsible for paying rent on your home to a private landlord, a housing association or the council.

Council Tax Support

You can claim Council Tax Support if you are the person (or one of the persons) who is responsible for paying the Council Tax for the property you live in.

If you are making a claim for Housing Benefit, you can make a claim for Council Tax Support on the same form. In general, the same information is required for us to be able to assess your claim. If you are told to make a claim for Universal Credit you will need to make a separate claim for Council Tax Support with Fareham Borough Council.

Who can not claim

You can not get Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support if:

• You (or your partner) have capital or savings of £16,000 or more (some capital can be disregarded, contact the Benefits Team for further information)
• You are not directly responsible for paying Council Tax
• You pay rent to a close relative or the partner of a close relative who lives in the same home as you
• You do not pay rent on a commercial basis
• You pay rent to an ex-partner for all or part of a home where you previously lived with your landlord as partners.
• You or your partner is responsible for your landlord's child.

If you are not sure whether you could claim Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support, please contact the Benefits Section for further information.

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