Changes to housing related benefits (including bedroom tax and Council tax)

In addition to the changes below, Housing Benefit may be reduced due to the benefit cap and is being replaced in stages by Universal Credit

Help with the Council Tax bill

Council Tax Benefit is being replaced by Council Tax Support. This is a local scheme which has been developed through consultation with residents. The new scheme means that most working age people will start to pay council tax and others will pay more.

More information on Council Tax Support.

Help with rent

If you  or a partner are under state pension age you will need to apply for Universal Credit to make a new claim for help with your Housing Costs.  If you and your partner are both over state pension age you can claim Hosuing Benefit for help towards your rent.

Housing Benefit claimants who claim Universal Credit will receive the equivalent of two additional weeks of Housing Benefit early on in their Universal Credit claim – to deal with the problem of gaps in transfer. 

Some people in a Universal Credit area can still get Housing Benefit to help with rent, such as those in supported housing. This has been widened to those in temporary accommodation. 

Help with mortgage costs

Help in benefits towards mortgage costs stops on 5th April 2018 and is replaced by the offer of a loan, secured against the claimant’s property. See the new rules, the updated guidance on the gov.uk webpage and the guidance from the Money Advice Association: Government help if you can't pay your mortgage

For trusted financial advice, the local website InformationNow has this useful page called Getting advice about your finances