Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit

These benefits help people who are on a low income and need to pay rent and council tax.

If you are already getting income support, income based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, you will usually qualify for full Housing and Council Tax Benefit.

But if your income is too high to be paid any of the above benefits, you may still be entitled to some Housing and Council Tax Benefit.

How much you get depends on how much money comes in and your family circumstances. You will usually be refuses Housing and Council Tax Benefit id you have savings or capital over £16,000.

Housing and Council Tax Benefit are local authority benefits and you should contact your local council for claim forms.

The carer premium isn't a benefit but it is an extra amount that is added to the calculation when working out your benefits  A carer premium is included in these calculations if you are paid Carer's Allowance or have claimed it but are not being paid it as you are getting another benefit instead.Qualifying for the carer's premium could mean you are better off by £32.60 per week.