How to apply for Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Reduction

Using our online form is the fastest way to claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction.

Use the same online form to claim

• both Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction together
• just Council Tax Reduction

When to use the form to claim Housing Benefit

Use our online form to claim Housing Benefit if you're a pensioner, in temporary accommodation or supported accommodation (where you have to pay rent to a private landlord or Housing Association or a Council home).

For the different ways that Housing Benefit is paid see How we pay your Housing Benefit.

Most people must apply for Universal Credit's Housing Payment instead of Housing Benefit. For information about which you should claim see Housing Costs and Universal Credit at GOV.UK

When to use the form to claim Council Tax Reduction

Use the form to claim Council Tax Reduction if you're struggling to pay Council Tax, whether you're already claiming Housing Benefit, Universal Credit or if you're claiming neither of these.

You should complete your Council Tax Reduction application as soon as possible, even if you're awaiting a decision on a Universal Credit application.

Council Tax Reduction is applied to your Council Tax bill in a lump sum, reducing the amount you must pay over the remainder of the year.

There is a different process for claiming discounts such as the Single Person Discount or Student Council Tax exemption, see Council Tax discounts for more information.

Before you start your application

Here's some more useful information before you start your application:

• Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction claims are made using the same online form
• this online form is for new claims only
• you can apply up to 13 weeks in advance
• claim as soon as possible or you may lose the benefit
• the start date of your claim will normally be the Monday after we receive your submitted form
• you can save your online claim and return to it later but please submit it within 14 days of starting (or the start date of your claim may be affected)
• when you've completed the form you'll find out what other information we need from you (you can send this to us by email or bring it to our offices)

Apply for Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Reduction online

Related content

• Who can claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction
• View your Benefit Account online (If you're already receiving Housing Benefit or Council Tax reduction)