2021/22

www.havering.gov.uk What are Council or Supported Exempt accommodation). Tax Support and ? Who can claim? If you are of pensionable Council Tax Support helps age, or are working age and people pay their Council living in Council provided Tax. temporary or other exempt If you are of pensionable accommodation, you can age or a Havering care claim Housing Benefit to leaver (under 25 years old), help with your rent. Council Tax Support can If you do not meet the reduce your Council Tax bill above categories, you will by up to 100%. Working need to claim Universal age people with disabilities Credit from the DWP can have their Council Tax (Department for Work & reduced by up to 80%. For Pensions). other working age people, The Council is committed Council Tax can be reduced to ensuring everyone takes by up to 75%. the opportunity to claim Housing Benefit what they are entitled to. Housing Benefit is paid to Increasing the take-up of people of pensionable age Housing Benefit (where and working age people appropriate) and Council Tax who live in temporary Support, particularly by or supported exempt pensioners and parents, accommodation. continues to remain a Whether you get help and priority. how much depends on: If you wish to make a claim »» your income and savings for either Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support or »» your personal know someone that may be circumstances entitled, please click on »» who lives in your home APPLY. »» the amount of rent you Please note that if you have to pay. are applying for Universal Housing Credit, you will still need Element is for working to apply for Council Tax age people who need help Support from Havering paying their rent. You can Council, to do this click on claim Universal Credit by APPLY. clicking on APPLY. If you transfer from Housing Universal Credit will Benefit to Universal Credit, continue to replace Housing you will automatically be Benefit for working age awarded an additional two people (not pensioners week’s Housing Benefit from or people in temporary the start of your Universal

2 Credit award. Further »» has reached pension age. there was a good reason information on Universal Housing»» Housing Benefit Benefit for why you did not claim Credit can be found at earlier. The reason must Most full-time students GOV.UK. cover the whole period for will not qualify for Housing which you are requesting Benefit because other backdating. You can request Which partner of arrangements, such as backdating while making student grants, exist to help a couple should your application for benefit. them with their rent. claim? If you wish to make a late Exceptions to this rule request please click on For the purpose of claiming include students who: APPLY. Housing Benefit and »» are disabled Council Tax Support we use If the Council decides ‘partner’ to mean: »» have dependant children there was ‘good cause,’ and you are working age »» a person you are married »» have reached pension age then a Housing Benefit to or a person you live »» are under 21 but not in claim can be backdated with as if you are married higher education for a maximum of one to them or »» are part-time students month from the date your »» a civil partner or a person »» are on / application is received you live with as if you Jobseekers Allowance by the authority (and a are civil partners. (A civil (income based)/ maximum six months for partnership is a formal Employment and Council Tax Support claims). agreement that gives Support Allowance If you are a pensioner, same sex couples the (income related). different rules apply same legal status as a In certain circumstances, and your claim could be married couple). the partner of a student can automatically backdated Either partner can claim but claim Housing Benefit. for three months. only one claim needs to be If you are a student and made for both of you. qualify for Housing Benefit, What does we will need to see a full Housing Benefit What about breakdown of your grant students? award and your student cover? certificate. Housing Benefit can help Council Tax Support with the part of the rent Properties occupied by When to claim? that you have to pay just to full-time students only are live in your home. This is You should claim benefit exempt from Council Tax. called your ‘eligible rent.’ as soon as you need help If a student is liable to pay This may be less than the because a claim cannot Council Tax on a property amount you pay to your normally be backdated. because there are other landlord because Housing people living in the property The Council can only Benefit cannot help with: backdate your claim if you with them, the liable »» the cost of fuel for have a good reason for student may still be able to heating, lighting, hot not claiming earlier. This claim benefit if he/she: water and cooking is known as ‘good cause.’ »» is disabled To show ‘good cause’ you »» the cost of meals (cooked »» has dependant children will have to prove that or uncooked)

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support 2021-22 3 »» ground rent (but it can private landlord and you help with site rent for have not moved or had a residential caravans) break in your claim since »» water charges. 7 April 2008, we will ask the Rent Officer what rent »» service charges for is reasonable for your personal items, like laundry property. The Rent Officer and household cleaning. may visit your home in order In some circumstances, to answer this. you may get help with The Council will use the charges for lifts, cleaning of figure provided by the Rent communal areas, children’s Officer to calculate your play areas, etc. Housing Benefit. If you are The or the figure renting from a provided by the Rent Officer private landlord could be lower than the actual rent you are charged. If you are renting from There are different rates for a private landlord, your shared accommodation, rent for Housing Benefit a one-bedroom property, will normally be based on a two-bedroom property, a flat rate Local Housing a three-bedroom property Allowance. The amount of and a four-bedroom Local Housing Allowance property. will depend on the area you live in and the number of bedrooms you and your Are you under family need. 35 and renting The independent Rent privately? Officer has divided the country into areas, called If you are a single person Broad Rental Market Areas under the age of 35, your (BRMAs). You can use your rent for Housing Benefit postcode to work out which will be restricted to a single area you live in. Your Local room rent. (This is called Housing Allowance will be the shared accommodation the same amount wherever rate if the Local Housing you live in this area Allowance rules apply to depending on the number your claim). of bedrooms you and your The single room rent and family need. the shared accommodation The amounts of Local rate are worked out using Housing Allowance are the rent for a single room published on our website, with the use of some click on LHA rates. shared facilities. If you are renting from a There are exemptions from this rule which include

4 people who are: »» every adult couple amount up to 100% of your »» under 35 and who receive »» any other adult aged 16 Council Tax liability. for a child in or over If you are of working age their care »» any two children of (not classified disabled), »» under 35 and who get the same gender aged the maximum amount of certain under 16 Council Tax Support that you can receive is 75% of »» under 35 and who were »» any two children your Council Tax liability. former residents of a regardless of gender aged specialist hostel for the under 10 If you are considered disabled you can receive a homeless »» any other child aged maximum of 80% Council »» ex-offenders who could under 16 Tax Support. pose a serious risk to the »» a non-resident carer You will be considered as public (if the claimant or their disabled for the purposes »» under 22 and who partner has a disability of the scheme if you have were formerly provided and needs overnight care, a disability income that accommodation by Social and a room is available entitles you to one of Services for their use) the following premiums: »» under 22 and who were for working age tenants disability, severe disability, formerly in Social Services the rent used to work out enhanced disability, care under a court order your Housing Benefit will be disabled child and/or carer applying after their 16th reduced by: when calculating your birthday. »» 14% if you are under- benefit. occupying by one Additionally all working Do you rent from bedroom age claimants that live the Council or »» 25% if you are under- in a Band E, F, G or H occupying by two or more property will have Council a Registered bedrooms. Tax Support limited to the Provider? top of Council Tax Band D, which is £36.30 per week (Registered Social Landlord/ How is your for the 2021-2022 tax year. Housing Association) benefit worked The Government has out? Housing Benefit introduced a size criteria Housing Benefit can be which restricts the amount We will need to see details any amount up to the full of Housing Benefit paid of your income, savings, eligible rent but this may to working age Council personal and family not be as much as the rent Tenants and Housing circumstances. This is then you pay. used to work out your benefit Association Tenants if they If you receive Income according to the amounts are under-occupying their Support, Jobseekers the Government considers properties. Allowance (income based), you need to live on. This change does not Employment and Support apply to Council Tenants Council Tax Support Allowance (income and Housing Association If you are of pensionable related) or tenants who have reached age or a Havering Care (guarantee credit): pension age. leaver (under 25) Council You will normally get full One bedroom is allowed for: Tax Support can be any Housing Benefit (unless the

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support 2021-22 5 applies to you). could be reduced further Some reductions or rent if the benefit cap applies restrictions may apply, to you. including if you have any other people living with you. What are my This is explained later in the section ‘What if I have other ‘needs’? people living with me?’ on This is the amount the page 8. Government considers you If you do not receive need to live on and includes Universal Credit, Income personal allowances and Support or Jobseekers premiums. Allowance (income based), The personal allowances Employment and Support depend on: Allowance (income related) »» your age or Pension Credit (guarantee »» whether you are single or credit), the Council will need have a partner to know your income and your needs – see below for »» how many dependant an explanation of needs. children you have If your income is less than The premiums are extra the Government says you amounts for some people need, you will normally get who have special needs. full Housing Benefit and full Different premiums take Council Tax Support if you into account the special are a pensioner. needs of: Working age Council Tax »» families Support claimants who are »» disabled people (including not considered disabled will disabled children) have a minimum charge »» people over 60 of 25% to pay towards their Council Tax bill. Those »» people who care for a considered disabled will disabled person. have a minimum of 20% to pay. If your income is more than your needs, benefit will be reduced by: »» Council Tax Support – 20p per week for every £1 of income above your needs. »» Housing Benefit – 65p per week for every £1 of income above your needs. Your Housing Benefit

6 works 16 hours or more each payment received What is included a week and the other and the total sum will be in ‘income’? partner gets disability disregarded when working To work out your income, benefits. out entitlement to benefit. the Council adds together Unearned income Savings and capital your earnings and any This is any other money This includes all bank and unearned income you have. you have coming in building society accounts, Earnings – money you get and can include state stocks and shares and any from your employment. benefits, private pensions, other property you may Only your net earnings are maintenance payments, own. counted – that is your pay charitable/voluntary (or profit if self- employed) payments, tax credits etc. Council Tax less tax, Some unearned income is Support disregarded, either in part and half of any pension Working age claimants will or in full. You must still contributions. no longer qualify for Council tell the Council about The following amounts will Tax Support if their total this income. be disregarded from your savings and capital is more net weekly earnings: than £6,000 (except those »» the first £5 for single Amount in receipt of a qualifying people disregarded income related state benefit where Department for Work »» the first £10 for couples Disability Living & Pension rules apply). »» the first £25 for Allowance –100% If you are of pensionable lone parents. Personal Independence age the total capital and »» There are additional Payment (PIP) – 100% savings limit for claiming disregards in certain Attendance and Council Tax Support is circumstances, for Constant Attendance £16,000. example if you or your Allowance – 100% partner are disabled. Child maintenance from Housing Benefit Childcare disregards a partner where living If your total savings and apart – 100% Childcare expenses of up to capital are more than £175 per week for one child Child Benefit – 100% £16,000, you will not and £300 per week for two Havering Council will normally qualify for Housing or more, can be disregarded disregard, in full, any Benefit. from your income when War Disablement or War If you have not yet reached paid to a registered Widows Pension you pension age, the first childcare provider. receive. £6,000 of any savings and This applies to families Prisoner of war payments capital is where children are under 15 ignored. Any savings and years of age (or 16 years if Payments to both Far capital between £6,000 and disabled) and where either: Eastern Prisoners of War £16,000 are taken into »» a lone parent or both and victims of atrocities account. during the Second World parents work 16 hours or For every £250 (or part of more a week, or War will be disregarded in full when assessing £250) £1 is added to your »» one parent of a couple income. This applies to

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support 2021-22 7 weekly income. income of £3 per week For example: What if I have Savings of £6,250 » we have to assume other people income of £1 per week living with me? Savings of £6,500 If you have other people » we have to assume (called non-dependants) income of £2 per week sharing your home, there Savings of £6,750 may be a deduction made » we have to assume from your benefit. income of £3 per week. Only one deduction is made If you have reached pension for each non-dependant age the first £10,000 of couple. There will be no any savings and capital is deduction, regardless of ignored. Any savings and your non-dependants’ capital between £10,000 circumstances, if you or and £16,000 are taken into your partner are: account. For every £500 (or »» registered blind part of £500) £1 is added »» receiving the care to your weekly income. For component of Disability example: Living Allowance Savings of £10,250 »» receiving any rate or » we have to assume component of Personal income of £1 per week Independence Payment Savings of £10,750 »» receiving Attendance » we have to assume Allowance. income of £2 per week

Savings of £11,250 » we have to assume

8 Council Tax Support: Non-dependant deductions Working age claimants A deduction will be made from your weekly Council Tax Support if the non-dependant is: »» aged 18 or over and works 16 hours or more a week with a gross weekly income (before tax) of:

Weekly gross income Weekly deduction £469.00 or more £20 £377.00 to £469.00 £15 £217.00 to £377.00 £9 Less than £217.00 £6 »» In receipt of State Pension Credit, Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance (income based) or Employment Support Allowance (income related) - Nil »» aged 18 or over and working less than 16 hours a week – £6 »» aged 18 or over and not working (e.g. no state benefit) – £6 »» a pensioner not receiving Pension Credit – £6. »» aged under 25 Universal Credit award (without earnings) - Nil »» aged 25+ Universal Credit award (without earnings) - £6 »» Universal Credit award with (less than 16hrs) earned income - £6 »» Universal Credit award with (16+ hrs) earnings – deduction based on gross income as above Pension age claimants A deduction will be made from your weekly Council Tax Support if the non- dependant is: »» aged 18 or over and working 16 hours or more a week with a gross weekly income of:

Weekly gross income Weekly deduction £469.00 or more £12.45 £377.00 to £469.00 £10.40 £217.00 to £377.00 £8.30 Less than £217.00 £4.05 »» In receipt of State Pension Credit, Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance (income based) or Employment Support Allowance (income related) - Nil »» aged 18 or over and not working (e.g. no state benefit) – £4.05 »» a pensioner not receiving Pension Credit – £4.05 »» aged under 25 Universal Credit award (without earnings) - Nil

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support 2021-22 9 »» aged 25+ Universal Credit award (without earnings) - £4.05 »» Universal Credit award with (less than 16hrs) earned income - £4.05 »» Universal Credit award with (16+ hrs) earnings – deduction based on gross income as above Housing Benefit Non- Dependant Deductions A deduction will be made from your Housing Benefit if the non-dependant is: »» aged 18 or over and working 16 hours or more a week with a gross weekly income of:

Weekly gross income Weekly deduction

£ 469 or more £102.85 £377 to £468.99 £93.70 £283 to £376.99 £82.30 £217 to £282.99 £50.30 £149 to £216.99 £36.65 Less than £149 £15.95 »» aged 18 or over and working less than 16 hours a week – £15.95 »» aged 25 or over and receiving Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance (income based) or Employment and Support Allowance (income related) – £15.95 »» aged 18 or over and not working (e.g. on state benefit) – £15.95 »» a pensioner not receiving Pension Credit – £15.95 »» aged under 25 Universal Credit award (without earnings) - Nil »» aged 25+ Universal Credit award (without earnings) - £15.95 »» Universal Credit award with (less than 16hrs) earned income - £15.95 »» Universal Credit award with (16+ hrs) earnings – deduction based on gross income as above When will non-dependant »» you are liable for Council or Pension Credit – 25% deductions not be made? Tax but do not qualify for Other adults with a total For pension and working Council Tax Support or gross weekly income of: age claimants, no »» you get Council Tax Less than £215.00 deduction will be made if Support of less than 25% – 15% the non-dependant is: of your Council Tax bill £206.00 up to £279.00 »» under 25 and receives The other adults must be – 7.5% Income Support, aged 18 or over and not be £279.00 or over – nil Jobseekers Allowance liable to pay rent or Council (income based), Tax. Tax Credits Employment and Support The amount of rebate is: If you receive tax credits, Allowance (income »» not affected by the this may affect the amount related) Council Tax payer’s of Housing Benefit or »» in hospital for more than income and savings Council Tax Support you are 52 weeks paid. »» based on the total gross »» a full-time student during income of the other For further information the period of study adults about Tax Credits call the helpline on 0345 300 3900. »» in legal custody »» assessed as a percentage »» normally lives elsewhere of your Council Tax Benefit Cap »» receiving Pension Credit liability. A financial limit or cap will »» is disregarded for Council Some types of income be applied to the total Tax purposes. are not counted, such as amount of Housing Benefit Disability Living Allowance, a working-age person can Personal Independence receive. Second Adult Payment (PIP) and The maximum amount in Rebate for Attendance Allowance. The Benefits will be: percentages of Council Tax £442.31 per week for pension age reduction given as a second couples and lone parents Council Tax adult rebate are: £296.35 per week for single Second Adult receiving Support adults Income Support, Jobseekers claimants only Allowance (income based), If you are receiving more than the above in Benefits, You may be entitled to a Employment and Support your Housing Benefit will rebate based solely on the Allowance (income-related) be reduced by the total low income of any other or Pension Credit living amount of Benefit you adults living in your with a full-time student as exceed the capped limits property. This is called householder – 100% by. second adult rebate. Other adults receiving »» If you do not have a Income Support, Jobseekers partner and you are of Allowance (income based), pensionable age Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support 2021-22 11 When will the Claiming Benefit Cap not Housing Benefit apply? and Council Tax The benefit cap will not Support apply to the following When making a claim for households. Council Tax Support and/ Those entitled to or in or Housing Benefit you receipt of: are required to provide a »» National Insurance number »» Disability Living for you and your partner. Allowance You will be asked to provide »» Personal Independence proof that the National Payment Insurance number belongs to you. Documents that will »» Attendance Allowance be accepted as proof are: »» The support component »» P45 of ESA »» P60 »» Industrial Injuries Benefits »» Wage/salary statements »» War Widows, War »» Tax letters Widower’s pension or »» Letters from Jobcentre War pensions Plus »» Carers Allowance »» RD3 NINO card »» Guardians Allowance »» Retirement Pension and »» Armed Forces Income Support award Compensation scheme letters or Independent payment »» The bank statement If you have been in work for of a self-employed 52 weeks or more and you person paying class two claim benefit, you will also contributions by direct be exempt from the cap for debit. up to 39 weeks. You must also provide proof The benefit cap can be of your identity in the form removed if you or your of two documents (only partner obtains work and one of which can be the become entitled to Working same as that provided as Tax Credit proof of national insurance number).

12 Acceptable proofs of Benefit or Council Tax Details of how to contact us identity are: Support, you must let are on page 14. »» a bank statement dated the Council know about less than four weeks ago any changes to your Extended circumstances. If you don’t »» birth certificate (or tell the Council of a change payment marriage certificate) in your circumstances you If you have been receiving »» certificate of employment may be paid too much and Income Support, Jobseekers in HM forces this will be recovered from Allowance or Employment »» passport you. Please be aware that, and Support Allowance »» divorce/annulment should the change increase continuously for 26 weeks papers your Housing Benefit or and you commence Council Tax Support, unless »» driving licence employment that is you notify the Council of the expected to last for more »» Home Office standard change within one month, than five weeks you may acknowledgement letter it will only be effective be awarded extended (SAL1 or 2) from the date when you payments. You can obtain »» identity card issued by an tell us and therefore you more information from the ECIEEA member state could lose out on additional Office. »» letter from social worker/ benefit. Tel 0345 604 3719 solicitor/ probation The following are examples Or click on CONTACT. officer/doctor/Inland of changes which you must Revenue. let the Council know about. Benefit fraud You may also be required to »» If you or your partner provide proof of all capital, stop receiving Universal Benefit fraud costs income and savings. If Credit taxpayers millions of pounds each year. you are living in a rented »» If you change address property, we may also If you suspect someone is »» If you or your partner need to see your tenancy claiming Housing Benefit stop receiving Income agreement or a letter of fraudulently, click on Support tenancy from your landlord. BENEFIT FRAUD. »» If you or your partner Documents should be stop receiving attached to your application Jobseekers Allowance or What you might form, when making a new employment and Support claim or click on UPLOAD. be missing Allowance out on Important – »» If you change jobs or have a change in your In addition to Council Avoid paying earnings Tax Support and Housing Benefit paid by the Council, back overpaid »» If your savings or income you may be entitled to change benefit other benefits. If you are in any doubt If your circumstances The Council wants to make about a change, please change tell us now sure older people and go online immediately by families in Havering are If you have applied for, clicking on SUBMIT and tell getting all the money they or are receiving Housing us about those changes. are entitled to.

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support 2021-22 13 Pension Credit is made capital limit but any income up of Guarantee Credit from capital is taken into and Savings Credit for account. people who have reached Universal Credit has pension age. replaced the following for Disability Living Allowance new claimants unless you and Personal Independence are exempt: Payments (PIP) are for »» Income Support people under 65 who need »» Jobseekers Allowance help with personal care and/or who have mobility »» Employment and Support problems. Allowance Attendance Allowance is for »» people over 65 who need »» Working Tax Credit help with personal care » Housing Benefit such as getting washed, You can find out more dressed or moving around about all the benefits at home, or if you need mentioned above by going someone to keep an eye on to . you or encourage you. GOV.UK It does not matter whether Need help or you actually receive help. What matters is that advice? you have the need. You If you need any help or can receive Disability advice about benefits you Living Allowance, PIP or should go to our website Attendance Allowance BENEFITS. even if you live alone. If your query relates to These benefits are not an existing claim, you can means tested and are tax appeal or request a revision free. Any savings you have by visiting the website are not counted. They above. can be received on top For more details on the of other benefits without services available please reducing them and in some click on VISIT. cases receipt of Disability Living Allowance, PIP, or The Benefits Overpayment Attendance Allowance can Team can also be contacted actually increase other directly at overpayments@ benefits such as Income havering.gov.uk Support, Housing Benefit or For Universal Credit advice Council Tax Support. go to GOV.UK. Tax Credits are there to Havering Council is support families with committed to providing children or people on a low a quality Benefits Service wage. The amount you which is fast, efficient, receive will depend on your friendly and effective to gross income. There is no our customers. Benefits 14 Services aim to: Discretionary If you would like this »» deal with customers in Housing document in another format a polite and sensitive such as large print, braille manner and provide a Payment or audio tape or if your first name and contact details If you are receiving Housing language is not English and »» use plain language Benefit or Universal Credit you need help with it, please contact us on without jargon when Housing Costs and are 01708 433997 answering customer still struggling to pay your enquiries rent Discretionary Housing »» take care to make sure Payment can be applied for that information is by clicking on APPLY. handled sensitively and in If you are a Council Tenant confidence the Financial Inclusion team »» answer letters and other can assist with making an correspondence within application for a DHP and five working days or provide advice, guidance provide an indication of and support around money when we will send a full management. They can response also signpost you to debt »» tell you what information charities if you have a wider you need to provide, if debt problem. Contact your you have not sent all the Income Officer on information we need to 01708 434343. work out your Benefit. If you would like more information about Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support please have a look at our website www.havering.gov.uk/ benefits

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