Housing Benefit Guide for Council Tenants

This guide is one of a number we produce with the aim of helping customers understand the Housing Benefits Scheme, as it applies to council tenants.

It is intended as a quick reference guide, therefore for individual enquiries please telephone 01623 463217, 463237, or 463387. You can also email us at Revenues@mansfield.gov.uk.

Q: Who can claim Housing Benefit: A: Anyone who has to pay rent for a Council property and who is on a low income can claim. You can claim if you are working full-time or part-time, self-employed, unemployed or retired. One important point, even if you have a low income, you will not be able to get Housing Benefit if you have savings over £16,000.; More details about Who can claim Housing Benefit
Q: Can I get help with all my rent?: A: Housing Benefit does not cover help with heating, insurance or garage rent. It will only cover your rent.; More details about Can I get help with all my rent?
Q: What about my Council Tax?: A: You do not need to make a separate claim for Council Tax Benefit. We will work out if you qualify at the same time as we calculate your Housing Benefit. If you claim Housing Benefit when you claim Income Support or Income Based Job Seekers Allowance, you need to complete the Council Tax Benefit application form in the claim pack.; More details about What about my Council Tax?
Q: How do I make a claim?: A: This depends on whether you are also claiming Income Support (IS) or Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) (Income Based).; More details about How do I make a claim?
Q: How will I know if I qualify?: A: We will tell you in writing. We will tell you if you qualify or not and if you do, how much you will get and the date your Housing Benefit will start. If you disagree with the assessment, you can appeal. The letter we send you will tell you how to appeal.; More details about How will I know if I qualify?
Q: When will my Housing Benefit start?: A: Usually Housing Benefit starts from the Monday after we receive your claim form. Sometimes, such as if you move house, different rules apply. Contact us for more advice.; More details about When will my Housing Benefit start?
Q: What is a Non-Dependant?: A: A 'non-dependant' is someone aged 18 or over who lives at your home. This will usually be a grown up son or daughter. Partners and joint-tenants are not 'non-dependants'. A deduction has to be made from your Housing Benefit which is based on the 'non-dependant's' weekly income. Sometimes, depending on your income type or if the customer is blind we don't make deductions.; More details about What is a Non-Dependant?
Q: How long will my Housing Benefit last?: A: Once you are awarded Housing Benefit it will not end unless you move to a property outside of the Mansfield area or you no longer qualify. It is important to remember however that from the time you make a claim you are under a duty to notify the Council of any changes in your circumstances.; More details about How long will my Housing Benefit last?
Q: How will my benefit be paid?: A: Your Housing Benefit will be credited directly to your rent account each week, so that you pay no, or a reduced, rent. Don't forget you will still need to pay any heating, insurance or garage charges.; More details about How will my benefit be paid?
Q: When should I claim?: A: You should claim Housing Benefit as soon as possible. If you delay claiming, you may lose Benefit. If you know your circumstances are going to change - an example might be retirement you can send a claim form up to 13 weeks before the change is due to happen.; More details about When should I claim?
Q: How much will I get?: A: If you receive Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based) you will usually get all your rent paid. If you have a 'non-dependant' living with you, you could receive less (see below).; More details about How much will I get?
Q: What if my circumstances change?: A: You need to tell us of any changes in your income and family circumstances which could affect your Housing Benefit, except a change in your rent.; More details about What if my circumstances change?
Q: What happens if I am overpaid?: A: We will normally ask you to pay it back. If your rent account is in credit, we will take all or part of the overpayment from this credit. If you still qualify for Housing Benefit, we will deduct a weekly sum from your new Benefit until the overpayment is recovered. If the overpayment is larger or we cannot recover the overpayment by any of the means shown above, we will send you a Sundry Debtors Account. This can be paid in full but if you have difficulty you can agree weekly payments with the Sundry Debtors section.; More details about What happens if I am overpaid?
Q: Can My Claim for Housing Benefit be Backdated?: A: Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit awards will normally be given from the Monday after we receive your claim. However, in exceptional circumstances, it is possible to award benefit from an earlier date. This is called backdating.; More details about Can My Claim for Housing Benefit be Backdated?