Child Benefit

What is Child Benefit?

• A benefit for any person responsible for the upbringing of a child
• Paid for each child
• Not affected by income or savings

Do I qualify for this benefit?

If you are responsible for the upbringing of a child who:

• Is aged under 16?
• Is aged under 19 and studying full-time up to A level, Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education (AVCE) or equivalent?
• Is aged 16 or 17 years old and has recently left school, and has registered for work or training with the Careers Service or Connexions Service
• When adopting a child

We will assist you with your claim even if your child is abroad.

Housing Benefit

The Housing benefit’s purpose is to help towards paying your rent.

If you rent your home from a private landlord or housing association, your housing benefit will be paid by cheque.

The Council tax benefit’s aim is to help towards paying your council tax bill. You may be entitled to a second adult rebate if you are the only person in your home responsible for paying council tax with the requirement of at least one other person aged 18 or older living with you and earning a low income. Please contact us if you are in any doubt. In most cases we will automatically work out both your council tax benefit and second adult rebate and, if you qualify for both, we will pay you the highest of these two benefits.

Your council tax benefit or second adult rebate will be paid straight to your council tax account.

When can we pay housing benefit and council tax benefit?

Housing benefit may be paid to assist customers with a low income to pay their rent.

Council tax benefit may be paid to assist customers with a low income to pay their council tax.

Who can apply for housing benefit?

Anyone who is liable to pay rent for a property, which they occupy as their home

Who can apply for council tax benefit?

Anyone who is responsible for paying council tax for the property they live in. That is, the person named on the bill, or their partner.

Working Tax Credit

Who can get it?

Working Tax Credit is created to assist people on low incomes. You qualify to claim if you are working 16 hours or more a week, if you are employed or self-employed and if you can provide a National Insurance Number.

How much will you get?

The amount you will receive depends on a few things, the most important of which is your annual income. You possibly can receive more if you are bringing up children or if a young person lives with you.