Applying for benefit
How do I apply for housing benefit or council tax benefit?
You can get an application form by writing to us or by phoning us to ask for one. Fill it in and then send it back to us with all the information we have asked you for. You can also 
download a form (263KB - PDF Help) or just view it to see what it looks like before you apply.
We can send an officer to visit you if you need help with your benefit claim or you have difficulty getting to our offices to see us.
If you apply for either
- Income Support (IS); or
- Income Based Job Seekers' Allowance (JSA (IB))
make sure that you fill out the small application form for housing benefit and council tax benefit which is in your IS or JSA (IB) claim pack. Send it to the Benefit Agency and they will send it to us when they have worked out your claim.
How long does it take?
When we have got all the information we need, we aim to process your claim within 14 days. We will then write to you telling you how much housing and/or council tax benefit you are entitled to get. This is called a 'decision letter'.
You can make an appeal (121KB - PDF Help) against our decision if you think it is wrong.
Please remember - we cannot pay your benefit until we are satisfied with all the information you have given us.
