Benefits - Help with your Council Tax

• What is Council Tax Benefit?
• Who Can Claim?
• How much will I get?
• What is Second Adult Rebate?
• Can I get it?
• How do I apply?

What is Council Tax Benefit?

Council Tax Benefit is a government benefit to help with your Council Tax. The Benefits Service administers the benefit for people who pay Council Tax in the Moray Council area. 

Council Tax Benefit is being abolished from 1 April 2013, and being replaced with Council Tax Reduction.  

Who Can Claim?

Anyone who is liable for Council Tax can claim Council Tax Benefit:

• You can claim Council Tax Benefit even if you are working
• You do not have to be receiving any other benefits
• You can even claim Council Tax Benefit if you already get a discount on your Council Tax i.e. if you live alone
• You don’t need to have paid any National Insurance Contributions
• You can live in
  
  
  • Council house
  • Privately rented or housing association accommodation
  • House you are buying or have already bought

 How much will I get?

The amount you receive will be calculated based on the following:

• Money you and your partner have coming in, including earnings, some benefits and tax credits and things like occupational pensions
• You and your partner’s capital savings and investments
• Your circumstances, such as your age, the number of people in your household and the ages of your children, whether you or any of your household is disabled.

What is Second Adult Rebate?

Second Adult Rebate is help with your Council Tax bill if you share your home with one or more adults. To qualify for Second Adult Rebate the person who share with you must not be your partner.

Can I get it?

Is the person who shares your home:

• Aged 18 or over?
• Not your partner?
• Not paying you rent
• Not liable to pay Council Tax themselves?

If you can answer yes to all, then you may qualify for Second Adult Rebate.

Second Adult Rebate is based on the circumstances of the person who shares your home. Your income and savings will not have an effect on Second Adult Rebate. If you are entitled to Council Tax Benefit and Second Adult Rebate we will pay the one which gives you the most money.

How do I apply?

If you want to apply for Benefit, please contact your local   Access Point.