Council Tax Benefit

Council tax benefit is a national welfare benefit, which ensures that most people in receipt of income support/job seekers allowance (income-based) or on low incomes will be able to apply for help with their cCouncil 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 persons 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 ins Support or job seekers allowance (income-based) the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will complete a form for you to claim council tax benefit. If you are not on income support or job seekers allowance (income -ased) 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 one 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.

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/Council Tax Benefit application form

Second Adult Rebate application form

Benefit Evidence Guide 

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

01303 853555 (Customer Services Team)

01303 853510

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.