Council Tax Benefit

Council Tax Benefit

Council Tax Benefit is a national welfare benefit, which ensures that most people who receive Income Support/Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based) or who are on low incomes will be able to apply for help with their Council Tax. If you do not qualify for main Council Tax Benefit due to your income being too high but you share your home with one or more people on low income you may be entitled to Second Adult Rebate.

How do I claim?

If you claim Housing Benefit then Council Tax Benefit can be claimed on the same form. If you wish to claim Council Tax Benefit only you will still need to complete a Council Tax/Housing Benefit Application form but there are some questions you do not need to answer. The form will guide you through which sections should be completed. If you claim Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based) the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) may complete a form for you to claim Council Tax Benefit. If you are not on Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based) or you have not completed a form with the DWP you should complete one of our forms.

If you wish to claim for Second Adult Rebate only there is a separate form to claim this. If you are not sure which benefit you are better off claiming you should complete the main form and we will award you the highest. This is called a 'better buy' calculation.

Benefit will usually start from the Monday after you tell us you want to claim providing you send us a completed claim form and the required evidence within 1 month. It is important you tell us immediately that you want to make a claim, you can do this by writing to us, by visiting us at any of our offices, by phone, by fax or by email.

For more information about claiming Council Tax Benefit and Second Adult Rebate see our claiming Housing and Council Tax Benefit page.

Don't delay in registering your intention to claim as any delay could lead to a loss of benefit. Email us now using the email link below with your name and the address you want to claim for.

Housing and Council Tax Benefit claim form: benefit-claim-form
Second Adult Rebate claim form:  second-adult-rebate-form

Evidence Guide: Benefit Evidence Guide

Shepway District Council,
Civic Centre
Castle Hill Avenue
Folkestone, CT20 2QY

Telephone:01303 853555 (Customer Services Team)

Fax: 01303 853510

Email: Housing Benefit General Enquiries

Customer Services at the Civic Centre are open 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

We need your form returned with an original signature, so unfortunately we are unable to accept your completed application by email or fax. We also require original documentation for supporting evidence (photocopies are not acceptable). The best course of action is to telephone us as above.  We can then check that your form is completed correctly. advise you if any further documentation is required and make an appointment for you to visit us at the Civic Centre.  However should you find this difficult due to a disability we can arrange for a visiting officer to visit you at home. Our visiting officer can help you to complete your form and verify all original documentation. To arrange a home visit contact our Customer Services Team.