Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support

Claim Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support

Housing Benefit is a Government scheme designed to help people on low incomes pay their rent

From 11 July new claims for Housing Benefit will only be accepted for customers who are:

• Pension credit age
• Living in Supported Exempt accommodation
• Living in temporary homeless accommodation

Customers who do not meet any of the above criteria will need to make a claim for Universal Credit to receive help for their rent.

Council Tax Support is a local scheme and provides help with your council tax bill by reducing the amount you have to pay, depending on your income.

Help to pay your Council tax is not included in Universal Credit and continues to be provided by Coventry City Council.

Read more information about Universal Credit or apply now.

How much would I get? 

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support are means-tested benefits. The amount you receive can depend on:

• your income;
• your savings;
• the size of the property, the amount of your rent; and
• who else lives with you

You can apply for either Housing Benefit, Council Tax support or both by completing the online claim form. Once you have completed the form you will be given an evidence checklist which lists documents we need to assess your claim.

You can email the evidence required to benefits@coventry.gov.uk quoting your reference number in the subject heading, or you can make an appointment so you can hand in your documents.

Are you unsure how much benefit you will receive, or how much money you will have left once you have paid your bills?

Use our handy benefits calculator to:

• See how much benefit you might be entitled to
• Help to identify your priority bills and manage your money
• See how changes in your circumstances would affect your income

If you are struggling to pay your bills and would like help or advice on how to maximise and manage your income, you can make an appointment with our Budgeting Support Officer by ringing 024 7683 2727. Alternatively, after using the benefits calculator you will have the option to send your completed budget calculation to us by pressing the “send to advisor “ button. An officer will then contact you to make an appointment.

Make a benefits claim online

Apply now and find out if you qualify straightaway and see how much you will get. You will know that your claim has been received by us as you will get a reply as soon as you apply.

• Start a new calculation/claim or return to a calculation/claim you have saved

Signed authority from Chief Executive for Coventry City Council to use electronic facilities for benefit claims.

Support

If you have difficulty completing an online claim, you can book an appointment with the Benefits Service.