1. Home
  2. Residents

 

Housing Benefit and Universal Credit

Due to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) we are currently experiencing large volumes of new claims and telephone calls.

The annual Council Tax bills and Benefit notification letters which have recently been issued will not include some of the recent Government changes. Please bear with us, we are working our way through these updates and revised notification letters and bills will be issued to you over the coming weeks, there is no need to contact us regarding this.

If you are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, and you need to help towards rental costs on the property you live in, then you need to make an application for Universal Credit.

You must not claim Housing Benefit unless you fall into one of the following categories:

  • You are of pension age.
  • You or your partner receive severe disablement allowance.
  • You live in temporary or supported accommodation.
If you already receive Housing Benefit and need further help, please see Extra Financial Help to make an application for Discretionary Housing Payments.

View your Housing Benefit Payments online
Use our online service to keep track of your Housing Benefit payments.
View your Entitlement Letters online
Use our online service to check payments, update us and more.
Make a New Claim
Most people who want to make a new claim will need to claim Universal Credit, but there are some exceptions.
Change an Existing Claim
If something has changed recently, such as your earnings or self employed income, let us know about it here.
Review an Existing Claim
If you have been asked to complete a Benefits Review Form, you can do so here.
Low Income - Council Tax Reduction
If you are on low income, you may be able to apply for Council Tax Reduction (CTR) to reduce the amount you have to pay.
Upload Documents for Benefits
Please use this form to send us evidence to support your application for housing benefit or council tax reduction.
Extra Financial Help
If you need to submit a claim for Discretionary Housing Payments or Exceptional Hardship Fund (for Council Tax assistance) you can do so here.
Welfare Support Fund
Help for people who need cash for basic essentials during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Debt and Welfare Advice
Are you having trouble making ends meet? Find out how to get help here.
Housing Benefit Appeals
You must contact us in writing within one month of receiving your decision letter.
Council Tax Reduction Appeals
You must contact us in writing within one month of receiving your decision letter.
Housing Benefit General Enquiry
If you have an enquiry for the Benefit Team, you can contact them here.
Housing Benefits Overpayments
Find out about repaying overpaid Housing Benefit.
Benefit Fraud
What is benefit fraud and how you can report it.
Local Housing Allowance Rates
Local Housing Allowance rates for the South Hams area.
Print