Housing & Council Tax Benefit and Disability Benefits Information

This page gives you information about the various benefits available to help people on low income or who are in poor health. We have Service Standards for Welfare Benefits Advice, which we aim to meet.

If you have any questions or need assistance with completing any of the claim forms then please do not hesitate in contacting our Welfare Benefits Advisor Graeme Martin on 01622 212535 or write to us at:

Maidstone Housing Trust Limited,
Whatman House,
St. Leonards Road,
Allington,
MAIDSTONE,
ME16 0LS

Housing and Council Tax Benefit
Disability Benefits
Useful Phone numbers

Housing and Council Tax Benefit

Housing and Council Tax Benefit are State benefits that help people on low income pay their rent and council tax.

Maidstone Borough Council calculate and pay any Housing or Council Tax Benefit you are entitled to.

Entitlements to these benefits are dependant on your income, savings and family circumstances. E.g. Your age, size of family and if you or your family have any disability.

The amount of Housing and Council Tax Benefit paid can be up to 100% of the cost of your rent or council tax.

Some service charges included in the total rent are eligible for Housing Benefit and others are not. For example the cleaning and lighting of shared areas like staircases and landings in flats can be covered by Housing Benefit, but service charges that cover water and heating are not eligible for Housing Benefit.

Tenants who live in sheltered accommodation are liable for a supporting person charge. This charge cannot be covered by Housing Benefit but may be covered separately by a grant.

To apply for Housing and Council Tax Benefit you will need to complete a claim form, which can be obtained from Maidstone Borough Council or alternatively you can claim over the phone. They can be contacted at:

Housing & Council Tax Benefit

Maidstone Borough Council,
Maidstone House, King Street
MAIDSTONE,
ME15 6JQ

Telephone Number 01622 602557

E-mail: benefits@maidstone.gov.uk

Web Page: www.digitalmaidstone.co.uk

Or alternatively contact the Maidstone Housing Trust Welfare Benefits Advisor on 01622 212535 or your rent account manager.

Information Required for a Housing and Council Tax Benefit Claim

Maidstone Borough Council will try to process your claim quickly and accurately.

In order for them to do this you are likely to need to provide them with original documents or evidence of the following:

If you receive Pension Guaranteed Credit, Job Seekers Allowance (income based) or Income Support you do not need to supply this extra information

Identity

You need to confirm your identity by providing either a passport, driving licence or birth certificate. You also need to confirm your address and show your tenancy agreement.

Income

For example:

Payslips – At least 5 weekly or 2 monthly payslips
Evidence of any other pensions
Benefit award letters
Maintenance received from a former partner

Savings

For example:

At least 2 months up to date bank or building society statements for every account held (even if overdrawn)
Evidence of any other investment. For example: shares, National Savings Certificates and ISAs
Details of any other property that is owned

You will not be entitled to any Housing or Council Tax Benefit if your savings or those of you and your partner adds up to more than £16000. The only exception to this is if you are on guaranteed pension credit.

Housing and Benefits Award Letter

Maidstone Borough Council will let you know their decision on your claim for Housing and Council Tax Benefit by sending you a letter of entitlement.

The letter covers the period from your date of claim until the end of March of the following year.

The assessment uses your weekly income and total savings less your personal allowances and then compares any excess income against your rent and council tax liability to calculate if you have any entitlement to Housing and Council Tax Benefit.

Any change in your circumstances requires another assessment calculation. You need to check your assessment carefully because any appeal against a decision must be made within a month.

Housing and Council Tax Benefit – Tips

Do not ignore letters and respond to them immediately.
If you wish to make a claim for Housing Benefit do not delay in phoning Maidstone Borough Council, as they may not backdate a claim.
If you receive Housing Benefit you must notify Maidstone Borough Council of any changes to your circumstances immediately. For example if someone moves in or out of your household or any income changes. If in doubt tell them about it!
Keep your documents and letters safe as you will be required to prove your income and savings to Maidstone Borough Council from time to time.
Check your Housing and Council Tax Benefit assessment letter and question anything you do not understand.

Disability Benefits

For further information visit www.direct.gov.uk/DisabledPeople

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Helpline 0800 88 22 00

DLA is a tax free allowance for Children and Adults who need help with personal care or have walking difficulties because they are physically or mentally disabled. The benefit is split into two components, Care and Mobility.

Claimants must be under age 65 when making a claim, but the benefit will continue to be paid past that age.

DLA is not treated as income when claiming Housing and Council Tax Benefit People who receive DLA may also get higher personal allowances in the calculation of their Housing and Council Tax Benefit Entitlement.

Attendance Allowance (AA)

Attendance Allowance Helpline 0800 88 22 00

This is a tax-free allowance for people over age 65 that need help with personal care. For example help with washing or dressing.

AA is not treated as income when calculating Housing and Council Tax Benefit and if awarded may result in higher personal allowances that would result in increasing Housing and Council Tax Benefit entitlement.

Incapacity Benefit (IB)

Incapacity Benefit Telephone Helpline 0800 882 200

Claim Pack 0800 055 6688

Incapacity Benefit is for people that cannot work through illness or disability and are under State Retirement age. You must have been off work through illness for at least 28 weeks. To be entitled to Incapacity Benefit you must have paid sufficient National Insurance contributions.

Short Term (lower rate) is paid for the first 28 weeks.

Short Term (higher rate) is paid for weeks 29 – 52.

Long Term rate is paid from week 53.

Incapacity Benefit is treated as income for Housing and Council Tax Benefit.

Phone numbers

Pension Service (Pension Credit) Freephone 0800 991234
Citizens Advice 01622 752420
Maidstone Jobcentre Plus 01622 702700
Age Concern Maidstone 01622 753618
Kent Association for the Blind 01622 691357

To check which benefits you are entitled to, call the Maidstone Housing Trust Welfare Benefit Advisor on 01622 212535 or for self assessment using a free calculator to help you work out your entitlement to benefits and tax credits, visit www.entitledto.co.uk

date published: 18/08/2008