West Lothian Council delivers

Do I have to provide evidence in support of my claim?

Yes. In most cases every statement made on your claim form will need to be supported by evidence. The exceptions to this general rule are: - pensioners who make their application through the Pension Service and are in receipt of Pension Credit. - people on Income Support or Income Bases Job Seekers Allowance generally will not have to provide evidence of their income, but will have to provide other evidence. Apart from the above two exceptions nearly every answer to a question on the claim form will need to be supported. Entitlement to Council Tax Benefit depends not only on evidence of income, but also on evidence of identity and circumstances. ALL EVIDENCE MUST BE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. Below are some examples of the kind of evidence required: Evidence of your identity and the identity of any partner: - birth certificate; marriage certificate; passport; current driving licence; recent benefit award letter; recent bank statements. Evidence of your National Insurance Number (NINO) and your partner, if applicable: - benefit award letter from DWP; letter from the Pension Service; letter from the Tax Office, which includes NINO; any original letter or document from an official source which contains the National Insurance Number. Evidence of rent: - council tenants will not have to supply this evidence. - tenants of private landlords should provide evidence of their rent liability. This could include an up to date tenancy agreement signed by tenant and landlord; a rent book or another original document which gives details of the rent liability, the services included, and the regular payments due. Evidence of income: - benefit award letter showing dates and amounts of benefit; last five weekly payslips or last two monthly payslips. Evidence of Capital: - bank statements showing the last two months transactions for all accounts held; building society accounts; stocks and shares certificates. This list is not exhaustive. If you need further information please contact us on 01506 776800.

How can I make a claim for Council Tax Benefit?

There are a number of ways that you can make a claim for Council Tax Benefit: If you are 60 or over and are making a claim for Pension Credit from the Pension Service, you can make your claim for Council Tax Benefit at the same time. The Pension Service will take all your details and pass them to the council as a claim for Council Tax Benefit. The council's Benefit Team may have to contact you for further information. If you need further information or help with claiming Pension Credits you should contact the Pension Service direct on their helpline: 0845 60 60 265. If you are not a Pensioner and are making a new claim for Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, or Employment Seekers Allowance (Incapacity Benefit). When making your claim for these benefits to JobCentre Plus you can also claim at the same time. JobCentre Plus will gather information and evidence for your Housing Benefit claim and will send it direct to the council's Benefit Team. The council may have to contact you to gather further evidence and details of your tenancy. If you do not fall into either of the above categories then you should make your claim direct to the council using a claim form. If you are claiming Housing Benefit to help pay your rent, you can claim Council Tax Benefit at the same time using the same form. You can pick up a claim form from your local council office, or you can phone us on 01506 776 800.

How do the level of my savings affect my Housing and Council Tax Benefit claims?

If your savings are £6,000 or less they are ignored. If your savings are between £6,000 and £16,000, they are taken into account. For every £250 (or part of) between £6,000 and £16,000 we will have to add £1 to your weekly income, unless you are over 60, in which case we add £1 for each £500 (or part of). If your savings are more than £16,000 you cannot claim. We do not count any actual interest you get on your savings.

I am waiting on proof of my benefits from the Benefits Agency? Will I hold onto my application form until it arrives?

No. You should submit your claim for Council Tax Benefit as soon as possible. This will get your application started. The council will not be able to make a decision on your claim until all the evidence has been received.

Is it only Council tenants that can apply for Council Tax benefit?

Council Tax benefit is available to everyone who qualifies - not just Council Tenants - if you are on a low income you should apply for council tax benefit.

Should I continue to pay my rent and council tax whilst I await a decision on my application for Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit?

It is very important that you continue to pay your Rent and Council Tax. You may receive little or no benefit and if you do not pay you may fall in to arrears.

What effect does having a non-dependant living with me have on my council tax and housing benefits?

Normally, we take a certain amount off your weekly Housing Benefit for each non-dependant who lives with you. This amount is called a non-dependant deduction. The amount we take off your benefit depends on the circumstances of the non-dependant and how much income they get. The Government sets non-dependant deductions and normally changes them every year.

What is a 'non-dependant'?

A non-dependant is someone aged 18 or over who lives with you as part of your family but is not your partner. Examples of non-dependants are adult sons and daughters, elderly relatives or friends, boarders, sub-tenants and joint tenants.

What is the 'applicable amount'?

The 'applicable amount' is the amount the Government says you need to live on each week and it is made up of three parts: 1) An amount for you and your partner, if you have one. 2) An amount for any dependent children in your family. 3) An amount called a premium to help with special needs, for example, if you have children or if someone in your family is elderly or disabled. These amounts are set by the Government and normally change every year.

What savings do you consider when looking at my application for Housing and Council Tax Benefit?

The type of savings we count include: cash savings, building societies, savings, bank and post office savings, premium bonds, National Savings Certificates, stocks, shares and unit trusts, the value of any land or property you own apart from your home.

When are Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit awarded from?

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are normally awarded from the Monday after the day you claim.

Who cannot claim housing or council tax benefit?

You will not be entitled to Housing or Council Tax Benefit if any of the following apply: you are not the person liable to pay rent or Council Tax; you have more than £16,000 in savings; you are not a UK Citizen or you have not lived in the UK for the past 5 years; or if you are a full-time student, unless you are a full time student who is also: Receiving Income Support; or a lone parent or couple who are responsible for a child or foster child; or disabled; or under 19 and following a further (not higher) course of education; or aged 60 or more.