Apply for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support
New claims for housing costs help for working age people will now be for Universal Credit.
For help and information, please visit:
You can only make a new claim for housing benefit if either of the following apply:
- you have reached State Pension age
- you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing
Means testing
It is a “means-tested benefit”- we check a person's financial situation to determine how much help they can get.
The amount of Housing Benefit you will get will depend on:
- your income, savings and investments
- the number of people in your household
- the appropriate rate of Local Housing Allowance ( if applicable)
We will generally pay benefit from the Monday after we receive your application form.
Claim housing benefit as soon as possible. It won't be paid from an earlier date unless there's a special reason.
If you miss the deadline, you must request backdating in writing and explain why you didn't apply on time. If you have a valid reason, we will consider backdating your benefit on a case-by-case basis.
You can't get Housing Benefit until you've moved into your new home, so you'll need to cover the rent yourself until then. However, there are exceptions, so it's worth asking the benefits team for assistance.
Supporting information
You must provide supporting information and evidence with your claim. These must be original documents, not photocopies.
We will usually need to see:
- two pieces of evidence proving your identity
- one document that shows your National Insurance number (and your partner’s, if needed)
- proof of all your income
- proof of all your savings and investments
- proof of the income of anyone living with you who does not depend on you financially
The application form gives you details of what type of evidence we accept.
You should make your claim as soon as you can. If you do not have any of the supporting evidence when you make your claim, you can send it in later. We must receive this evidence within one calendar month of the date you made your claim.
If you do not provide the information we need to process your claim, there will be a delay in paying your benefit.
Savings and Capital
You must tell us about all your savings and investments.
Examples include:
- The money you have in a bank or building society account (even if your account is overdrawn)
- Land or property you own, other than the home you live in
- Stocks and shares
- Premium bonds
- National savings certificates
- ISA accounts
- Post Office accounts
This is not a full list, and is only meant to give examples of what you must tell us about.
Affect on benefit
If you have more than £16,000 in savings or investments, you usually won’t qualify for benefits.
If you’re of pension age, the first £10,000 won’t count.
If you get Guarantee Credit from the Pension Service, the £16,000 savings limit doesn’t apply. You can still get benefits even if your savings are over this amount.
Some types of savings and investments don’t count when working out your benefits. For more details, contact the Benefits Section.
Vulnerable Adults
We will pay your housing benefit into your bank account every two weeks, after this time you can not choose to have it sent to your landlord anymore.
If we think you might not pay your rent or have trouble with money, we might pay it straight to your landlord instead.
If you think you can’t manage your money, you can ask us for help. You’ll need to fill out a form and give us proof. This helps us decide if we should call you ‘vulnerable’ and pay your rent straight to your landlord.
People who might be ‘vulnerable’ include:
- those with learning problems
- big money troubles
- physical disabilities
We look at each person’s case carefully before making a decision.
Change of circumstances
If you claim housing benefit and something in your life changes, you must write to tell us. Even if you tell the Department for Work and Pensions, you still need to tell the Housing Benefit team too.".
The following are examples of changes you must report-
- you stop or start to receive income support / job seekers allowance
- you stop or start work
- your household changes (for example, if someone moves in or out)
- you leave the property
- the amount of your savings and investments changes
- you have a change in income
- someone who lives with you (like a grown-up son or daughter) has a change in their money. This person is called a ‘non-dependent’.
This is not a full list. Lots of other changes in your life can also change your benefit. If something changes and you’re not sure, tell the Benefits team. We will check and let you know.
You must write to us about any changes. But you can call the Benefits team first to tell us what’s changed.
Overpayments
If you still get Housing Benefit and got paid too much before, we will give you less each week until it’s all paid back. The government decides how much we can take each week, and this amount can change every year.
If you don’t get Housing Benefit anymore and you were paid too much, we will send you an invoice to pay back the extra money.
How to Pay
You must quote the invoice number as a reference on all payments and all correspondence.
You can pay your invoice in the following ways:
By Direct Debit
This is the recommended (and easiest) way to pay your bill on the 1st day of each month.
You can now set up a Direct Debit by phone – please contact the Overpayments Team on (01639) 686839.
By Post
Please send payments to:
The Finance Office
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
The Civic Centre
Port Talbot
SA13 1PJ
Cheques should be made payable to “N.P.T.C.B.C” or “Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council”.
Please write your invoice number, name, and address on the back of the cheque.
By Telephone (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
You can use a debit card to make a payment by phone at any time.
Please call: 0161 622 6919
At the Post Office
You must take this invoice / reminder notice with you each time you make a payment.
Online
You can pay quickly and securely online.
Please use your debit card and ensure you have your bill and reference number available.
Cannot afford to pay
We can make an arrangement for you to pay back the overpayment in instalments.
If you want to pay the money back in small amounts, decide how much you can pay and call us on 01639 686839 to discuss it.
You can also write to us to make an offer for how you would like to pay. If we think your offer is reasonable, we may be able to agree the repayments immediately. If we cannot, we will ask you to fill in an income and spending form so that we can decide if we can accept your offer.
Claiming Housing Benefit
You, your partner, or someone acting for you must fill out the Housing Benefit application.
Return the completed form immediately to one of the following offices:
- The Benefit Section Neath Port Talbot CBC Civic Centre Neath SA11 3QZ
- The Benefit Section Neath Port Talbot CBC Civic Centre Port Talbot SA13 1PJ
If you need help with the form, you can call into any of the above offices and an officer will help you make your claim.
Contact us
Our phone lines are open from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
