Help with paying rent

How we can help

We will make an appointment with you before your tenancy starts or at any point in your tenancy, at your request, to tell you about:

• the range of payment options
• benefits and tax credits which may help increase your income
• how we recover arrears and
• details of other independent organisations which can advise you on managing your money. 

There are links on our website to the Council's and Directgov's online benefits calculators. We can also refer you to the City Council's Welfare Rights Team who will visit you at home to make a benefits assessment. We can also help you if you need help to set up a bank account.

Managing debts

If you are worried about managing your money, we can refer you to a partner agency to help you with budgeting and dealing with any debts you may have. They can help you prioritise and negotiate with creditors. We can refer you for support to help you if you are struggling to manage your home and bills.

If you have 2 debts with the City Council 1 of which is rent (and you owe over £500) the Corporate Debt Scheme could help you.

You can make 1 payment,which the Council will share amongst the debts you have with them. While you are on the scheme all legal action will stop.

If you don’t stick to your payment agreement,they will take you off the scheme and start legal action again. If you think you would qualify for the scheme please contact the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Law Centre or GL Communities.

Housing and council tax benefit

You may be able to claim Housing Benefit to help you pay your rent and Council Tax if you are on a low income or unemployed.

There is one form to claim both benefits. You can get an application form from us, or from the Council's Benefits office at the Herbert Warehouse at the Docks.  Or you can download a form  direct from the Council's website| .  

You can now apply for Housing and Council Tax Benefit from Gloucester City Council on-line.To apply click the link below. 

Housing and Council Tax Benefit e-form|

The form can be completed in full or you can make a start and finish it later. 

How much benefit could I get?

Depending on your circumstances you could get up to 100% of your rent and Council Tax paid for you.

If you want to find out how much benefit you may be entitled to, try using Gloucester City Council's Housing and Council Tax Benefits calculator| .

If you don’t have access to the internet, we will help you to use the calculator to work out how much you may be entitled to.

The amount you get will depend on things like the size of your family, your rent, your income and any savings you have.

If someone living in your home who has an income, such as a weekly wage, or gets benefits, the Council may reduce your benefit. You would then have to ask that person to pay you the difference, so that you can pay the rent due.

As well as these benefits there are many types of discount available to reduce your Council Tax bill. For example if you live alone, you can get a 25% discount on your Council Tax bill. For more information please contact us.|

Income Support / Jobseeker's Allowance

If you are on Employment and Support Allowance or Jobseeker's Allowance, please tell us this when you fill in the claim form.

If you have been unemployed or claiming Income Support and you start work, you may be able to get extra Housing Benefit to help you pay your rent.  You can get this help for the first 4 weeks after you go back to work.  But you must claim it within 8 days of the end of your time on Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance.

If your circumstances change

Remember to tell the Council's Benefit Service straight away if your circumstances change as this may affect your benefit. If they pay you too much, because you have not told them about a change, they will reduce your Housing Benefit until the money is paid back. This will mean that you have to pay more rent. 

Benefit fraud

It is important to always give the Council the correct information. You will be prosecuted if you give false information. If you know someone is giving false information to get benefit please contact the Benefit Fraud Team on 0800 731 7111.

or email: beat.benefitfraud@gloucester.gov.uk| 

Important things to remember when applying for benefit

The Council will pay any Housing Benefit direct to your rent account and any Council Tax Benefit direct to your Council Tax account.


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

Need more benefit advice?

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

Our service standards

We will give you benefit advice:

• before you become our tenant
• during the tenancy if your circumstances change, you get into arrears or you ask our advice
• when your application needs renewing.

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

For specialist advice on claiming Housing or Council Tax Benefit, please contact Gloucester City Council's Benefits Service on 01452 396483 or visit the Council's Benefits web pages|.

We can refer you for money and benefits advice to agencies who can help you.

There are different rules affecting pensioners and working age applicants.

 Checking on your benefit

You can now check on the amount of benefit you are being paid to reassure yourself that it is correct. Gloucester City Council have produced a new web page which allows you direct access to your own information on-line.

Once you have registered with the Council, they will send you your id and by separate email your password.

Visit www.gloucesteractive.co.uk/openaccess/|

for further information and to register.

Tax credits from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs

There are two types of tax credit: Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit. They are for people on low incomes who need extra financial help to care for a child or young person, and are employed or self employed.

For moreadvice please contact HM Revenues & Customs on telephone 0845 300 3900 between 8am and 8pm, 7 days a week or visit www.direct.gov.uk| This website includes detailed advice on who qualifies and an on-line calculator to help you work out what you may be entitled to.

If you do not have access to the internet, please contact us| and we will help you get the information and use the calculator.

Pension Credit from the Pension Service

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

For further moreadvice please contact the Pension Service on 0800 99 1234 Mon-Fri 8am to 8pm and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays or visit www.direct.gov.uk| This website includes detailed advice on who qualifies and an on-line calculator to help you work out what you may be entitled to.

If you do not have access to the internet, please contact us| and we will help you get the information and use the calculator.

Our service standards

We will:

• advise you about claiming welfare benefits and tax credits
• help you apply for Housing and Council Tax Benefit
• provide a link on our website to a benefits/tax credits calculator and help you use it if you don't have internet access. 

Download our Help with paying your rent and charges leaflet|.