Housing and Council Tax Benefit are national welfare benefits which are administered by local Councils. Torbay Council's Benefit Section is located in the Town Hall, Torquay, but Connections offices in Paignton and Brixham are also able to offer benefits advice and assistance.

What are Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit ?

• Housing Benefit is to help those on a low income to pay their rent.
• Council Tax Benefit is to help those on a low income to pay their Council Tax.
• Both benefits can be paid at the same time to someone who is liable to pay rent and Council Tax.

NB Homeowners cannot get housing benefit. If you are an owner–occupier and need help with your mortgage repayments you should contact the Department of Work and Pensions

Who can apply for Council Tax Benefit?

Anyone who is responsible for paying Council Tax for the property they reside in. That is, the person named on the bill, or their partner.

Who can apply for Housing Benefit?

Anyone who is liable to pay rent for a property which they occupy as their home (or their partner).

How much Housing and/or Council Tax benefit will I receive?

Housing and Council Tax Benefit are 'income related' and as such the amount of benefit you are entitled will vary depending on the income you receive. Other determining factors are the size and composition of your family group and, for Housing Benefit, the amount of maximum eligible rent as set by the local rent.

A new on-line benefits calculator is now available for you to calculate the amount of benefit you may receive. Please note that any calculations given should be used as a guide only.

How do I apply for Housing & Council Tax benefit?

In order to claim Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit you must first complete an application form. Please note that this form must be printed and completed in ink then sent to the benefits section.

Alternatively you can bring your completed application form together with supporting documents to Connections in Torquay, Paignton or Brixham.  You will be given a receipt and all supporting documentation can be verified while you wait.

NB. any claim for Housing and/or Council Tax benefit will usually start from the Monday following the date your form is received. if you know that you need to claim benefit we recommend that you complete a short 'intention to claim' form, this may then mean that your benefit can start from an earlier date.

Feedback

Torbay Council Benefit Section welcomes your feedback, if you would like to comment on any aspect of the benefit section be that to suggest an improvement or to comment on or complain about the service please contact us.

To view any published Related Documents for this service you will require the appropriate software. To download this software please see our documents help page. All links to documents will open in a new window. To request documents and files in an alternative format please contact us using the contact information provided on this page.

Related Documents

• Benefit Claim Notes
• Discretionary Housing Payments
• Exchequer & Benefits Vision Statement
• How the Council Deals with Your Benefit Claim

To view any published Related Documents for this service you will require the appropriate software. To download this software please see our documents help page. All links to documents will open in a new window. To request documents and files in an alternative format please contact us using the contact information provided on this page.