Housing and Council Tax Benefit - New Claim
To claim benefit, you will need to complete our Application for Housing and Council Tax Benefit form (available on the right) and return it to the address on the form.
If you would like a hard copy, you can pick one up from the main reception at Time Square or the Easthampstead House reception. Alternatively, you can contact us using the details on the right to request an application form.
Please note that we will need to see several supporting documents, such as original proof of all your savings and income and evidence of your identification and National Insurance Number.
Benefit is normally paid from the Monday following the date that the Council receives your application form and will not normally be backdated, so you should return your benefit form as soon as possible.
You can claim benefit if you:
- Have a low income – whether or not your work
- Are responsible for paying the rent and/or council tax
- Live in the property
- Do not have savings above £16,000*
*(unless you claim and qualify for Pension Guarantee Credit)
However, the amount of Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit you are awarded will depend on many factors. Please see Welfare Rights - Financial Advice for information on what you may be entitled to.
You may not be eligible to apply for benefit if:
- You have come to live in the UK within the last 2 years**
- You are subject to immigration control
- You are from outside the Common Travel Area and are ‘economically inactive’
- You have a second property elsewhere
- You are a student
- You are a prisoner
- You are absent from your home
**special rules apply to people who are not British nationals.
If any of the above apply to you then please contact us for further advice.
If you want someone else to deal with your claim for you, please see Housing and Council Tax Benefit - Consent for Third Party Disclosure.
Help filling out your claim form
Please phone our Assessment Team on (01344) 352010 for help and advice on completing your application form.
You can also make an appointment with one of our Assessment Officers, to come into our offices at Time Square where you can receive help with completing the form.
If you are unable to come and see us at our offices or at any Benefit Surgery we attend due to a disability or medical condition and if we cannot help you over the phone or via email then a home visit can be arranged.
To request this service please contact us using the details on the right. If you are a Bracknell Forest Homes tenant then please contact Bracknell Forest Homes, Tenant Benefits Advisors on 01344 382937 or 382924.
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