Housing Benefit
What is it?
If you are unemployed or on a low income and live in specified, homeless or temporary accommodation or of state pension age, Housing Benefit may provide help to pay your rent.
Most people cannot apply for housing benefit if they are receiving universal credit. If you are in receipt of Universal Credit, you must also make a separate application to us for council tax reduction.
The amount you receive depends on your income and circumstances. It can cover part or all of your rent.
For more information on eligibility for housing benefit, visit the Department for Work and Pensions website.
How do I apply?
One of our forms (can be picked up or posted out to you) and post it in to us or hand in to one of our council offices (Stornoway, Balivanich or Castlebay ) .
What proof do I need?
The level of evidence you need to provide depends on your income and circumstances. We may ask for the following evidence to support your application:
- You (and your partner’s) identity and National Insurance number.
- Where you live.
- Your rent.
- You (and your partner’s) income.
- Savings & Investments (you may still qualify even if you have savings).
- Occupational pension (and partner’s).
- The circumstances of other people who live with you.
Please do not delay in applying for benefit whilst waiting for any of the information listed above.
If you need to send documents to support your Council Tax Reduction or Housing Benefit application you can do this:
Please note when sending documents, please make sure you also provide the following information:
- Your name
- Your postal address
- Your National Insurance number
- Your contact telephone number
- Your email address (where possible).
Council Tax Reduction
You can claim a Council Tax reduction if you
- have savings of less than £16,000
- are responsible for paying the Council Tax bill
- have a low income from benefits or work, including self employment.
You may still get a Council Tax reduction if your savings are more than £16,000 and you or your partner get the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit.
How do I apply?
One of our forms (can be picked up or posted out to you) and post it in to us or hand in to one of our council offices (Stornoway, Balivanich or Castlebay ) .
What proof do I need?
The level of evidence you need to provide depends on your income and circumstances. We may ask for the following evidence to support your application:
- You (and your partner’s) identity and National Insurance number.
- Where you live.
- You (and your partner’s) income.
- Savings & Investments (you may still qualify even if you have savings).
- Occupational pension (and partner’s).
- The circumstances of other people who live with you.
After that we will contact you to check your information. We also check the details we hold for you against information held by the Department for Work and Pensions and employers.
Please do not delay in applying for benefit whilst waiting for any of the information listed above.
You can apply for a reduction at the same time as you claim for Housing Benefit.
Making our decision
If you are entitled to a Council Tax reduction, we will apply it to your Council Tax account, usually from the Monday after we receive your claim. We will then send you a new demand notice showing how much to pay.
Please note
That you will still be liable to pay your water and waste water charges as these are not included in council tax reduction.