Housing and Council Tax Benefit are ‘means tested’ state benefits that help people on low incomes to pay their rent and Council Tax.

Here in the Revenues and Benefits office we receive, assess and pay claims for Housing and Council Tax Benefit. We provide advice on claiming Housing and Council Tax Benefit and also give advice about claiming other related Welfare Benefits through our Customer Services Team.

We regularly visit all customers who receive Housing and/ or Council Tax Benefit to make sure we are paying the correct amount of benefit to the right person. In addition, we have a Fraud Team that investigate all allegations of benefit fraud, and an Overpayments Team who take the appropriate action to recover overpayments of benefit if they occur.

To make an application for Housing Benefit and/ or Council Tax Benefit, you will need to complete and return a Benefit Application Form ( PDF - 230 KB).

Local Housing Allowance - find out about changes to Housing Benefit for tenants of private landlords from April 2008, read answers to some frequently asked questions and check the current standard rates of LHA ( PDF - 84 KB). Also read our draft policy, Safeguards for Tenants and Landlords (Local Housing Allowance). 

Download the following leaflets about Local Housing Allowance;

Introduction to LHA ( PDF - 98 KB) ;

Working out LHA ( PDF - 96 KB);

LHA tenants likely to have difficulty paying their rent ( PDF - 94 KB);

LHA money advice for tenants ( PDF - 98 KB). 

Reporting a change in circumstances - TELL US NOW gives details of how to report a change and gives examples of the types of things you need to tell us about. Reporting a change is even easier now, since Paul Martin, Chief Executive of Sutton Council confirms we can now accept details of changes via electronic communication e.g. by email.

Find out about Second Adult Rebate (Alternative Maximum Council Tax Benefit).

Our Commitment to you sets out the standards of service we intend to give our customers.

Are you thinking about starting work but don’t know how it will affect your benefit? Contact our Customer Service Team for advice on back to work issues.

Benefit is normally only paid from the Monday following the date we receive your application form, but it is possible to request Backdating of Housing and Council Tax Benefit ( PDF - 37.5 KB).

Find answers to some frequently asked questions about overpayments of benefit, and read the Council’s Collection Policy and Code of Practice, which set out the basis of our commitment to collect overpayments fairly and efficiently. 

If you are a landlord you can find answers to some frequently asked questions about Housing Benefit for tenants of private landlords. You can also download our Landlord Leaflet. ( PDF -  56 KB)

We have published our latest performance ( PDF - 14 KB) figures and welcome any comment and suggestions that you may have about this. Tell us what you think of the service we provide Comments & Complaints.  You can also find out more information about the complaints we have received.( PDF -  14 KB)

If you are receiving Housing Benefit and/ or Council Tax Benefit but need extra help, find out about Discretionary Payments.

We pay Housing Benefits payments by BACS ( PDF - 25.9 KB).

How we work out the rent we use for your Housing Benefit explains the complex rules we must use to assess eligible rent for Housing Benefit. You can also find out about The Rent Service.

We carry out Benefit processing and Intervention Visits in compliance with the Verification Framework and Security against Fraud and Error  (SAFE) to reduce the risk of fraud and error and to ensure our customers receive the correct amount of benefit.  We also carry out effective planning to organise sufficient and appropriately skilled resources in order to deliver an efficient, effective and secure service and to minimise barriers to work.

To find out if you may be entitled to Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, enter your details in our Benefits calculator.

We offer a home visiting service to people who need help with their Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit, but who have difficulty in visiting the Civic Offices.  The results of the latest Visiting Services Customer Survey are now available ( PDF - 10 KB).  

Results of the Revenues and Benefits Customer Services Survey ( PDF - 12.8 KB).

Download the latest edition of our Newsletter. ( PDF - 688 KB)