Information for Local People
- Paying for your Home | |
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Most people have to pay for their home. Some people are buying their home and have a mortgage, some people pay rent for their home. Also, whether you are buying your home or renting it, you will usually have a Council Tax bill to pay.
Question: So what happens to these bills and payments if you are not working or on a low income?
Answer: There is a range of Benefits and Discounts available – even for those who do work – check out how to get these by clicking on the links below:
COUNCIL TAX
All matters to do with Council Tax are handled by your Local Council. There are Council Tax Discounts available and Council Tax Benefits you can claim. You can get discounts if you live alone, or have other special circumstances – irrespective of how much money you have. Council Tax Benefit is for those with lower incomes – and is particularly underclaimed by the elderly. Do you think you or a friend or relative might get discounts or benefits? Ask here 
RENTS
If your income – or lack of it – is affecting your ability to pay your rent, a scheme called Housing Benefit can help. Housing Benefit can be claimed for lots of different circumstances and in a variety of ways, but the payments are handled by your Local Council.
Also, for people already on Housing Benefit who are still having difficulty in managing their rent, there is also a scheme called Discretionary Housing Payments, which can help you temporarily.
MORTGAGES
You cannot get Housing Benefit to pay a mortgage. Contact your Department for Work and Pensions office  (called Jobcentre Plus for people under 60) to find out how to get help with mortgage payments.
The rules about Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are complex and change quite a lot. There are now also different rules for people over the age of 60, to those of working age. This website contains general information, but it is always best to ask us direct.
If you want to use the telephone, our helpline number is 01268 294575 – the line is open 24hrs a day for messages and is generally staffed between 9 and 5 Mon – Fri. Or you can ask for information through this link. Ask a question.
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