Who can apply for benefit

• You can apply for benefit if you are on a low income.
• You can claim Housing Benefit if you pay rent. If you are a joint tenant, we can help you with your share of the rent. In some circumstances, you can be treated as the rent-payer even though you are not named on the tenancy agreement. We cannot help you pay a mortgage (please contact the Department for Work and Pensions).
• You can only apply for Council Tax Benefit if you or your partner is the person listed on the bill.

You will not be able to receive Housing or Council Tax Benefit if:

• You are a non-dependant or non-householder. A non-dependant is someone who lives with you but doesn't rely on you for financial support. For example, an adult son/daughter or an elderly relative. A non-householder is usually a family member/student living in a home who is not responsible for paying the rent. For example, your 19 year-old son is a non-householder if he lives in your home, even if he pays you rent.
• You have more than £16,000 in capital (including any savings, Bank/Building Society accounts, shares, Unit Trusts, ISA's, Post Office accounts, National Savings Certificates, Monthly Income Bonds, Premium Bonds, second property).
• You are a full time student - unless you are a full time student who is also a lone parent, disabled, under 19 following a further (not higher) education course or aged 60 or more.