Claiming Benefits and Tax Credits

If you are on a low income, you may be entitled to various benefits and tax credits.

 

As a shared owner, you may be able to get help from:

 

• Council tax benefit
• Council tax discounts (whether or not you are on a low income)
• Tax credits for Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs
• Pension Credit from the Department for Work & pensions

You can get various benefits, depending on your circumstances. The Customer Services Centre at Gloucester City Council’s Herbert Warehouse can give you information on the benefits you can get
as a homeowner - phone them on (01452) 396497 or call into Herbert Warehouse.

You can also contact the Department for Works & Pensions on (01452) 366000.

Council tax benefit

If you are on a low income and have less than £16,000 in savings, you may be able to get help towards paying your council tax. Council tax benefit is paid whether or not you are in work, and
may be paid on top of other social security benefits. If you qualify for council tax benefit, it will be taken off your council tax bill as a rebate. This will not directly affect your service charge bills but
it can save you money. 

Second adult rebate

If you have to pay council tax and the only person living with you is on a low income or is ignored for council tax purposes, then you may be able to get another type of council tax benefit called
second adult rebate. This is only if the other person living with you is not your partner or spouse or a joint tenant. However, the rules are complicated, so if you are unsure phone the Council’s Benefits Service on (01452) 396483 or the Citizens Advice Bureau (01452) 528017.

If you put in a claim and qualify for council tax benefit, you will be paid council tax benefit or second adult rebate, whichever is higher. 

How do I claim council tax benefit?

If you claim income support, the Benefits Agency should give you a form when you apply to them for benefit. You will still need to fill in the Council’s benefit application form. Council tax benefit only lasts for 1 year and then you have to re-apply, even if you are on income support. Do not ignore the re-application form that will be sent to you, or your benefit will stop.

 

If you think you may be able to get council tax benefit, you should:

 

• go to the Benefits Enquiry Counter at Gloucester City Council Herbert Warehouse, or
• phone Gloucester City Council Benefits Service on (01452) 396483, or
• write to the Benefits Section, Herbert Warehouse, The Docks, Gloucester GL1 2EQ.

Council tax reductions and discounts

As well as council tax benefit, there are certain reductions and discounts that may mean you pay less council tax. Any reductions or changes to the amount of council tax you pay should be shown on
your bill. These may be a single-person discount or disability reduction, or both:

 

Single-person discount

If there is only one adult living in your flat, your council tax bill will be reduced by 25%. Certain people are not counted when looking at the number of adults living in a home, so if you live with an
adult who is “discounted” for council tax purposes you should get single-person discount.

 

Disability reduction

Your council tax may be reduced if you, or someone who lives with you, is disabled and has:

 

• a specially adapted room, or
• a second toilet or bathroom added for the disabled person, or
• extra space in your home, or it has been adapted, because you or they use a wheelchair.
  

For more information about council tax discounts and reductions, contact Gloucester City Council Revenue Services on (01452) 396495, or write to them at Gloucester City Council, Herbert
Warehouse, The Docks, Gloucester, GL1 2EQ.

 

Benefit Fraud

It is important that you give the Council the correct information at all times. You may be prosecuted if you give false information. If you are aware of anyone who is giving false information to get benefit, you should contact the Benefit Fraud team on 0800 731 7111.

 

Important things to remember

 

• Claim straight away because any benefit due can only be paid from the day on which you apply
• Send in your form even if you have not got all your income details to hand
• If you are asked for any more information - send it in straight away/ If you delay you may loose benefit.
• Gloucester City Council will not be able to backdate your benefit unless there is a very good reason
• Check regularly that your claim is being processed.  

Any council tax benefit will be paid direct to your council tax account.

 

If you are moving home you will need to complete a shorter change of circumstances form. Ask us or the council's Benefit office for the form and ant help you may need to complete it. 

Need more benefit advice?

For general advice on rent, charge and benefits please contact us.

 

We will give you benefit advice:

 

• Before you become a shared owner
• during your lease if your circumstances change, you get into arrears or you ask our advice
• when your application needs checking

 

Our staff are trained to verify any evidence you may need to provide with your application.

 

For specialist advice on claiming housing or council tax benefit, please contact Gloucester City Council's Benefit Team or visit the Council's benefit| web pages. 

Tax Credits from Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs

There are two types of Tax Credit: child tax credit and working tax credit. They are for people on low incomes who need additional help to care for a child or young person, and are empolyed or self-employed.

 

For further specialist advice please contact HM Revenue & Customs on telephone 0845 300 3900 between 8am and 8pm, 7 days a week or visit Tax Credits| online. This website includes detailed advice on who qualifies and an on-line calculator to help you work out what you may be entitled to.

 

We can help you get the information and use the calculator. 

Pension Credit from the Department For Work & Pensions

If you are aged 60 or over and living on a low income you may be entitled to Pension Credit.

 

For further specialist advice please contact the Department For Work & Pensions on telephone 0845 606 0265 between 8am and 8pm, 7 days a week or visit Pension Credits| online. This website includes detailed advice on who qualifies and an on-line calculator to help you work out what you may be entitled to.

 

We can help you get the information and use the calculator.