Housing and council tax benefit

Housing benefit

Housing benefit is a state benefit which helps people who are on a low income and living in rented accommodation to pay their rent. Depending on your income and circumstances, we may be able to pay up to 100% of your rent less any service charges.

Local housing allowance

The Government has introduced a new form of housing benefit called local housing allowance (LHA) which comes into force in Plymouth from 7 April 2008. LHA in Plymouth will apply to all new housing benefit claims from tenants who rent accommodation from private landlords. To find out more about this scheme, please visit the local housing allowance pages.

Council tax benefit

Council tax benefit is a state benefit to help you pay your council tax. Depending on your income and family circumstances, you can receive up to a 100% reduction in your council tax bill. Any council tax benefit you are granted is used to reduce your council tax bill.

Second adult rebate

Second adult rebate can be claimed if your income, savings or investments are too high for you to qualify for council tax benefit. You may claim second adult rebate if you have at least one non-dependant adult, who is on a low income, living with you. Under normal circumstances a partner or lodger will not entitle you to claim second adult rebate.

Although Plymouth City Council administers housing and council tax benefit we have to work to regulations controlled by Central Government.

More information about housing benefit and council tax benefit is available at the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) website.

If you wish to apply for housing and or council tax benefit do not use the application form available on the DWP website. Either write or telephone to us using the details to the right requesting a application form or download the application form available on this site.

This section of Plymouth City Councils website is to give you, the customer, immediate access to the services provided by the housing and council tax benefit department, and answers to your questions.