Housing benefit and council tax support are ‘means tested’ benefits. We need to know about how much income and capital you have to work out how much housing benefit and council tax support you are entitled to.  

If you are entitled to jobseekers allowance (income based), income support, employment support allowance (income related) or the guarantee credit of pension credit, you will be entitled to full housing benefit, and a at least 91.5% of your council tax liability in council tax support, minus any non-dependant deduction (if applicable).  

If you (and your partner) have £16,000 or more in savings and capital, you will not be able to claim housing benefit and council tax support, unless you are receiving the guarantee credit part of pension credit.  

You will also need to provide evidence of your income, for example your wage slips, tax credit letter and capital for example bank statements, share certificates. Please see what evidence you need to provide.

What is 'capital'?

By ‘capital’ we mean all of the money you have. Examples of capital you would need to provide proof of are:

  • all bank and building society accounts
  • post office accounts
  • stocks and shares
  • land and buildings (except the house you live in)
  • premium bonds
  • cash 

If you and/or your partner are of working age we will not count the first £6,000 of the total amount of capital you have. We will then say you have £1 of income for every £250 of capital you have. If you have capital under £6,000 then you will not need to provide proof of any capital.  

If you and/or your partner are of pensionable age we will not count the first £10,000 of the total amount of capital you have. We will then say you have £1 for every £500 of capital you have. If you have capital under £10,000 then you will not need to provide proof of any capital.  

If you are having difficulties getting the proof of your capital please call us for advice. Your claim could be delayed if you do not provide the evidence.

What counts as 'income'?

If you are getting income support, jobseekers allowance, employment support allowance, pension credit or tax credits we may already have proof of these for you. However, if we cannot get this proof for you, you will need to provide your benefit entitlement letter. 

If you are employed you will need to provide evidence of your earnings.  You will also need to provide this if your partner or non-dependant is working. See evidence you need to provide.

We will take off the amounts of tax and national insurance contributions you pay through your wage and half of any private pension scheme you pay into.  

You will need to provide proof of any other income you have, this could be on a payment slip, award letter or bank statement.  Please call us for further information.

What is disregarded income?

There are certain types of income that we will not count as income in your benefit calculation.

  • War Pension or War Disablement Pension
  • Attendance Allowance
  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Child maintenance
  • Child benefit 

We can also take off an amount for childcare payments in certain circumstances, this must be through an approved childcare provider. Complete the childcare form for benefits claims.

Childcare disregard form (104.52 KB)
What if I'm self-employed?

If you or your partner are self employed then we will need to see evidence of your accounts.

You will need to provide either:

  • current certified accounts done by an accountant, or
  • a self employed accounts form. We will ask for evidence, e.g. receipts, to confirm what you have stated on your form.
Self employed earnings information form (102.79 KB)
3 February 2023