Applying for council tax benefit

If you are having trouble paying your council tax bill you may be able to claim council tax benefit.

To apply complete and return:

Council tax benefits application form

It is important that you check you have provided the evidence required as your application cannot be processed without it. See the checklist on the back of the housing benefits application form for details.

We aim to determine complete applications within 14 days. You will receive a letter to confirm your application is being processed.

Backdating council tax benefit

In normal circumstances your application will be assessed and the amount of benefit awarded is calculated from the Monday following the date your application was made.

However, in some circumstances we understand that it may not be possible to make an application immediately. In these cases it may be possible to have your application backdated.

Some examples of these circumstances are:

If you were ill and there was no-one to make the application for you
You were in hospital
There was a bereavement in your family
You were unable to handle you own affairs

Requests for backdating must be made in writing:

Download a backdated benefits request form

Evidence to support your request

If you are able to provide evidence to support your application it may enable us to process your application more quickly. Examples of evidence are:

A letter from your GP to support a medical reason
A letter from you social worker

Applications can be backdated for a maximum of 3 months prior to the date of the request for backdating. When your application has been processed you will receive a letter informing you of our decision.

If you disagree with our decision you can write to us within one calendar month telling us why you disagree and asking us to re-look at your application. For further information see: