Council Tax and Housing Benefits

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are national welfare benefits which help people on low incomes.

Housing Benefit is paid to people with a low income who pay rent. Council Tax Benefit is paid to people with a low income who pay Council Tax. Both Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are means-tested benefits. This means that when we work out your benefit, we have to take account of things like your income, investments and savings. Local councils run the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit schemes, using Government rules.

Can I claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit?

You can claim if:

• you pay rent, either to the Council, a private landlord or a housing association
• you pay Council Tax on your home
• your savings are less than £16,000 - the only exception to this is if you get the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit
• you are on a low wage, even if you are self employed, or you are claiming certain state benefits.

Useful contacts 

Please note that links to websites will open in a new window.

Stockport Council (Housing Benefit & Council Tax Benefit)
Address: PO Box 70, Stockport SK1 3ZY
Phone: 0161 217 6015
Fax: 0161 474 5202
Web: www.stockport.gov.uk/benefits
Email: benefits@stockport.gov.uk

Stockport Direct
Address: Fred Perry House, Edward Street, Stockport SK1 3XE
Phone: 0161 217 6009
Fax: 0161 217 6020
Minicom: 0161 217 6024
Web: www.stockport.gov.uk/stockportdirect
Email: stockportdirect@stockport.gov.uk