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Council Tax Benefit

What is it?

Council Tax Benefit is payable to people on a low income who are liable to pay council tax on the property they live in, whether it is rented or owned. It is a means-tested benefit like Housing Benefit and Income Support.

How is Council Tax Benefit worked out?

Council Tax Benefit is calculated by adding together the claimant’s allowances and premiums to give a figure called the "applicable amount" and compares this amount with their weekly income.

  • if their income is below the applicable amount, they will get a maximum Council Tax Benefit of 100 per cent; but
  • if their income is above this amount, benefit is reduced by 20pence for every £1 of the excess;
  • non-dependents who live with the claimant (for example, adult children) will cause the claimant’s benefit to be reduced by a fixed amount, depending on the income that they receive.

Who can claim Council Tax Benefit?

To be eligible for Council Tax Benefit, a claimant must:

  • have less than £16,000 in savings and capital;
  • be at least 18 years old;
  • have a low income;
  • be treated as liable for Council Tax for the place they live in;
  • not be a full-time student;
  • not be from abroad.

To calculate council tax benefit, Medway Revenues and Benefits Service will ask for proof of identity, income, savings and circumstances.

Second adult rebate

If tenants do not qualify for council tax benefit because their income is too high, they may still qualify for a 25 per cent reduction in their council tax bill if there are other people living with them who have a low income.

How do you claim Council Tax Benefit?

You can apply for council tax benefit by submitting an online claim form.

You can also estimate your entitlement to council tax benefit online.

Understanding your benefit decision notice

When we make a decision about your claim we will send you a benefit decision notice. By law we have to include certain information in this letter. We have produced a guide to help explain decision notices following a new or changed award (pd f126KB) and if you have an overpayment (pdf 229KB)

To use this file you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have it on your computer, please use our advice page.

 

For more information contact us by telephone: 01634 332222 / Fax: 01634 332839 / Text Relay: 18001 01634 332222 or by email: ctax@medway.gov.uk / welfare.benefits@medway.gov.uk

Write to: Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR

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