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Frequently Asked Questions
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FAQs for Housing and Housing Advice
There
are 16 Frequently Asked Questions in this section.
Click on a question to see the answer:
- Can my application for Benefit be backdated?
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How do I make a claim for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit? -
How do I find out if I am entitled to Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit? -
How do I receive any Benefits I am entitled to? -
My grown up children still live at home. Does this affect my entitlement to Housing and Council Tax Benefit? -
I receive a small War Pension. Will this affect my entitlement to Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit? -
My partner and I keep our income separate, can we each claim for a Housing and/or Council Tax rebate? -
My friend told me that because I have savings I cannot claim Benefit, is this correct? -
I have been awarded attendance allowance/The Care Element of Disability Living Allowance. How does this affect my Benefit claim? -
I have recently started work in a fairly low paid job. Can I still apply for Benefit even though I don't have the amount of payslips needed to process my claim? -
I've recently become self-employed and don't have business accounts. Can I still apply for Benefit? -
I received a 25% Single Person's Discount on my Council Tax until my unemployed daughter returned to live with me. I don't qualify for Benefit because my income is too high. Is there any other help available to me now that I have to pay extra? -
I will be renting from a Private Landlord. How can I find out how much help I will get to pay my rent? -
What should I do if my circumstances change while I am receiving Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit? -
Do I have to Complete two forms if I want to claim both Housing and Council Tax Benefit? -
What are Housing and Council Tax Benefits?
Answers:
Benefit can be backdated for a maximum of 52 weeks from the date a written request is received. You must show that there was good reason for not making the claim sooner and that it lasted throughout the time until the written request was made. You may have had one reason or a combination of successive reasons. You may be asked to provide evidence in support of your request, for example if you could not claim due to health reasons, you may be asked to provide a letter from your doctor.
Go to our Introduction to Housing and Council Tax Benefits page for more information. Back to Top
If you are aged 60 or over, please go to our Pension Credits page.
You will need to complete an application form. Evidence of your identity, all income, all savings or other capital and your national insurance number must be provided. This information is also required for your partner if you have one (see how to claim for a list of the type of evidence that is suitable). Details of anyone else living in your household are also required.
Go to our Introduction to Housing and Council Tax Benefits page for more information. Back to Top
You can contact benefit staff in your local office who will give you advice on your possible entitlement. However the authority would always encourage you to complete an application form. It costs nothing to make a claim and you have nothing to lose by doing so. We will assess your claim and write to you whether you qualify for benefit or not. You can also use our web based calculator. Just follow the step by step guide.
Go to our Introduction to Housing and Council Tax Benefits page for more information. Back to Top
Council tenants receive payment direct to their rent and council tax accounts. Owner/occupiers receive payment direct to their council tax account. If you rent from a private landlord or housing association, payment is made by cheque to either yourself or your landlord.
Go to our Introduction to Housing and Council Tax Benefits page for more information. Back to Top
If you do not receive attendance allowance or the care element of disability living allowance your entitlement may be affected depending upon their circumstances. Go to our Introduction to Housing and Council Tax Benefits page for more information. Back to Top
North Lanarkshire Council operates a scheme whereby all income from war widows and war pensions is disregarded. However we still need to know that you receive it and we will ask you for a breakdown of how this is made up. The War Pensions section in Norcross will provide you with a letter showing this.
Go to our Introduction to Housing and Council Tax Benefits page for more information. Back to Top Back to Top Back to Top
Any amount of attendance allowance or disability living allowance is ignored as income when your benefit claim is assessed. You will still have to let the council know that you receive these benefits as your claim may be re-assessed in a different way that could entitle you to more rebate.
Go to our Introduction to Housing and Council Tax Benefits page for more information. Back to Top
You should apply as soon as possible as any delay may mean a loss of benefit. You should include a note stating that you have only recently started work and will provide payslips as soon as they become available.
Go to our Introduction to Housing and Council Tax Benefits page for more information. Back to Top
You should maintain business records books. Benefit may be awarded if you can supply evidence of your takings and expenses. Any entitlement will be based on the calculation of income from these records. Your local area office will photocopy your record books. You may be asked to supply these at regular intervals until your business is established and you have been trading for a full year. A shorter benefit period than normal may also be set at this time.
Go to our Introduction to Housing and Council Tax Benefits page for more information. Back to Top
You can make a claim for what is known as a second adult rebate. This is done on the normal benefit application form. You can claim this because your daughter is unemployed and therefore has a low income. If you are not sure whether you may be entitled to ordinary council tax benefit you can claim both. The council will work out your entitlement under both schemes and you will be awarded the one most beneficial to you. Go to our Council Tax Benefit page for more information. Back to Top
Unless you are renting from a housing association the maximum rent that can be paid is determined by a Rent Registration Officer who is independent of the council. His maximum rent figure may be less than your landlord is charging you. Before you decide to rent a property you can obtain a pre tenancy determination. This is a form which is available from your local office (see contacts list). This must be completed by you, signed by your landlord and returned to the local office who will submit it to the Rent Registration officer. He will notify you, your landlord and the council of his determination within 5 working days of receipt of the form.
Go to our Housing Benefit page for more information. Back to Top
You must notify us immediately your circumstances change. Don't wait until it is time to renew your claim. You can notify us by calling into your local office or by writing a letter. If you are unsure about whether you need to tell us of the change call into your local First Stop Shop for information and advice. See our Changes in Circumstances page for more information. Back to Top Back to Top
These are means tested benefits administered by the local authority for Government.
Tenants of the local authority or a private landlord can get assistance to pay rent and council tax. Owner/occupiers can get assistance to pay their council tax. How much benefit someone receives depends on their individual circumstances but this may be up to 100% of their eligible rent charge and 100% of their eligible council tax charge. Water and sewerage charges are not eligible for council tax benefit. Regardless of your circumstances you must pay these yourself.
Go to our Introduction to Housing and Council Tax Benefits page for more information. Back to Top
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