Housing and Council Tax Benefit
This is money that Gateshead Council pay towards your rent and/or Council Tax. The benefit is based on laws and guidelines laid down by Central Government.
Please see the Benefit Guide| for further information, also please refer to the leaflet with information about the Benefits Service|, available on the right of this page.
Benefit Calculator
You can check now to see if you qualify for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit by using our Online Benefit Calculator.|
Who can apply?
Anyone aged 16 or over on a low income who pays rent and/or Council Tax including people who are:
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working full or part-time or are self-employed;
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unemployed;
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retired.
If any of these apply and you want to make a claim| you should do this as soon as possible so that you do not lose any benefit. We can only backdate your claim if there is a good reason why you did not claim at the right time.
Who should not apply?
If any of the following apply you will not get help towards your rent and/or Council Tax:
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you have savings over £16,000 (unless you have Guarantee Pension Credit);
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you are paying rent or board to a close relative who lives with you (in this case you may get help with Council Tax depending on your circumstances).
Note: The rules are different for students and people living in residential or nursing homes.
Other useful contacts
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Pension Service Helpline - 0800 991 234
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Age Concern - 0191 477 3559
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Citizens Advice Bureau - 0191 477 1392
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Tax Credits Helpline - 0845 300 3900
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Benefit Leaflet Website
A range of leaflets containing general advice and guidance about Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, available in 11 different languages