Housing and Council Tax Benefit - how to apply

The claim form you complete will depend on what other benefits you are also claiming. In some cases you do not need to complete our form, for example if you are making a new claim for any of the benefits below.

Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance

Your claim for Housing and Council Tax Benefit will be made at the Jobcentre Plus office when you make your claim for Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance.

Make sure you tell staff at the Jobcentre that you want to claim Council Tax Benefit, and they will then send the form to us.

If you are already receiving one of these benefits and are now making a new claim for Housing Benefit you should complete our application form.

Pension Credit

Your claim for Council Tax Benefit will be made with the Pension Service as part of your claim for Pension Credit. Make sure you tell the Pension Service you want to claim Council Tax Benefit and they will forward the form to us.

If you are already receiving one of these benefits and are now making a new claim for Council Tax Benefit, you should complete our application form.

If you are not making a new claim for any of the above benefits

You should make your claim directly with our Benefits and Revenues Service using our application form.

When you claim benefit you will be asked to provide information about yourself and your household.

Where can I get a benefit claim form?

You can download an application form online, or:

• request one via email or telephone
• collect one from one of our service centres. 
  

What else do I need to send?

Before your claim can be processed, you must provide two original forms of identification from a list of acceptable types of identification, and original evidence of your current financial situation. The form tells you what documents you need to provide.

Do not delay

If these documents are not readily available to you, send in the form immediately and provide any additional documents within one month of sending the form.

Returning the form

Post or hand in your completed form to the Revenues and Benefits Service.

What happens next?

Once your claim has been processed, we will write and tell you how much benefit you will get.

If your application has not been approved and you don't agree with the decision, you can appeal.

Can I get help completing the form?

If you need help completing your form, please contact us.

If your health prevents you from attending one of our offices to submit your application, you can arrange a home visit.

Data protection

The Royal Borough of Greenwich checks and verifies all information provided in support of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit claims. See our data protection page for details of how we collect and distribute personal information.