Can I get help with my rent and/or Council Tax?
You may be able to get Housing Benefit towards your rent if you have to pay rent to live in your home or Council Tax Benefit if you are the person who has to pay Council Tax.
Housing and Council Tax Benefits are based on the income and savings of both you and your partner, together with your circumstances and the amount of rent and Council Tax you have to pay.
What does it cover?
Housing Benefit can cover rent and service charges which you must pay as a condition of your tenancy. It does not cover heating and hot-water charges, water rates, household insurance, repairs we can charge you for, court costs, Council Tax and Supporting People charges.
However, if you claim Housing Benefit, you will automatically be assessed for Council Tax Benefit and a Supporting People payment if you live in supported accommodation.
How much will I get?
The amount of Housing and Council Tax Benefit you will get will depend on the amount of rent you are charged, your personal and family circumstances, any other people living with you, and your household’s income and savings.
Our staff can give you an idea of how much you might be entitled to, or, use the on line Benefits Calculator.
How will it be paid?
Housing Benefit is paid straight into rent accounts, reducing the weekly amount you need to pay.
The council’s Housing and Council Tax Benefit Division will write to you about your entitlement and tell you how much you need to pay to cover your weekly rent. If you have rent arrears, contact your housing office to arrange to pay.
Council Tax Benefit will be paid straight to the council’s Local Taxes Division to reduce your Council Tax bill.
How do I claim?
Click here to find out how to fast track your claim
Or you can:
Phone (01902) 551155 for an application form;
Fill in an application form available from your housing office or the Civic Centre;
download a form from our website www.wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk/rentsandbenefits/How_to_claim_Housing_Benefit.htm;
write to the below address to register your claim. They will send you an application form.
The Housing and Council Tax Benefit Division,
Civic Centre,
St Peter’s Square, Wolverhampton,
WV1 1RB,
email: citydirect@wolverhampton.gov.uk
In some areas of the city, if you are claiming a benefit from Jobcentre Plus (such as Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support or Incapacity Benefit), Jobcentre staff will ask you to fill in a form and will then send the details to Housing and Council Tax Benefit Division.
If you hand in your form, please ask for a receipt. Keep the receipt as this confirms that you have registered a claim.
Our staff will help you to fill in forms and tell you which supporting documents you will need to provide to support your claim (such as proof of identity, National Insurance number, proof of the household income and details of savings).
How do I ask about my claim?
If you have any enquiries on your Benefit Claim please phone City Direct on 551166, or visit the Civic Centre, Bilston or Wednesfield Offices.
If your query is complicated or you have trouble accessing appointments at these locations, an appointment can be made for a Visiting Officer to visit you in your home or at your local office to discuss your claim. To arrange an appointment please contact your Estate Manager or call City Direct. The Visiting Officer will give you advice and information about your Benefit claim and any other benefits you may be entitled to.
Always remember to keep your Estate Manager informed of any ongoing Benefit issues.
What if my circumstances change?
If your circumstances change the Benefits Service need to know as soon as possible. These changes could include:-
- Changes to your income (wages, benefits, tax credits, pension or any other income)
- Changes in the amount of savings that you have
- Changes to your household if anyone leaves or joins your household
- Changes to the income of other people in your household
- If you move, have to live away from home for any reason, become a student, go into hospital or prison
This is not a complete list. If you are unsure please contact Benefits directly on (01902) 551166 and they will be able to tell you if your change will affect your Housing and Council Tax Benefit. You can also tell them about the change on this number.
The Pension Service
Wolverhampton Homes is working in partnership with the Pension Service to provide direct access to advice on welfare benefits and debt advice to all tenants, residents and leaseholders over the age of 60.
Wolverhampton Homes staff will refer people directly to the Pension Service Local Service by completing a referral form. This form can be completed at your local Housing Office or an officer can visit you in your home.
Once the referral has been made, a member of the Pension Service Visiting Team will contact you to arrange a suitable appointment either in your home, at a local Housing Office or at a Pension Service Surgery.
The Pension Service Visiting Officer is able to carry out a benefits check to ensure you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to, help apply for benefits such as Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance and give general benefit advice.
If you, or someone you know, would benefit from an appointment with a Pension Service Officer please contact your local Housing Office for details. Alternatively contact the Pension Service direct on 0845 606 0265 or visit www.thepensionservice.gov.uk
Can I get any other help with my rent?
If you are charged for Supporting People services, you may be entitled to a Supporting People payment to help you pay these charges.
If you get Housing Benefit, you will automatically get a Supporting People payment to cover the charge.
If you do not qualify for Housing Benefit, you may apply for a Supporting People payment, depending on your income and circumstances.
The payment will be paid straight into your rent account.
You are responsible for telling the Supporting People Unit about changes in your circumstances and providing the information they ask for. However, our staff can help you with this.
To apply for a payment please contact the Supporting People Unit, Social Care, Housing and Health, Civic Centre, St Peter’s Square, Wolverhampton, or e-mail socialservices@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
Can anyone else help?
• Tenancy Sustainment
If you are experiencing any problems with housing or rent the Tenancy Sustainment Unit may be able to help you. If you need help filling in forms, understanding benefit forms or letters or need advice on any issues surrounding your tenancy, the team can offer you free, practical advice. For further information download the following attatchment for contact details or contact your local housing office.
Local Advice Agencies
Independent debt advice is available, free of charge, from:-
• Citizen’s Advice Bureau
The Citizens Advice Bureau offers free, confidential and impartial advice on a range of consumer issues, including Welfare Benefits, Debt Advice and Housing Issues.
There are three main offices in Wolverhampton :-
City Centre (Snow Hill)
Phone: 01902 572006 10.00-14.00 Mon-Fri except Bank Holidays
Opening Hours
9.30am-2pm Mon – Thurs (closed first Thursday in month)
Fridays 9:30am-1pm Plus drop in for Deaf clients
Specialist Services
Debt
Employment
Housing
Welfare Benefits
Community Care
Languages
Interpreting Services available
Bilston
Phone: 01902 572006 10.00-14.00 Mon-Fri except Bank Holidays
Opening Hours
9.30am-2pm Mon – Wed, Thursday 6.30-8pm appointments, Friday 9.30-2pm
Specialist Services
Debt
Employment
Housing
Welfare Benefits
Community Care
Languages
Interpreting Services available
Low Hill
Phone: 01902 572006 10.00-14.00 Mon-Fri except Bank Holidays
Opening Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10am-12.30pm
Specialist Services
Debt
Employment
Housing
Welfare Benefits
Community Care
Languages
Interpreting Services available
and a number of local offices. To find details of your local CAB, including locations and opening times click on the link below :-
www.cab4advice.org or www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/getadvice.htm "
• ACCI (African Caribbean Community Initiative)
217 Waterloo Terrace
Newhampton Road East
Whitmore Reans
Wolverhampton
WV1 4BA
(01902) 571230
Daily resource centre open 9.30am - 4.30pm
ACCI provides services to African and African Caribbean adults with mental health and dual diagnosis problems. Staff at the centre can assist with housing, welfare and benefits advice, life skills, training and education.
• Age Concern Wolverhampton
Hupton House, 93/94 Darlington Street, Wolverhampton WV1 4EX www.ageconcern.org.uk
Tel: (01902) 572060
Aimed at people over 50 years of age
• AWAZZ
Waterloo Terrace, 222 Newhampton Road East, Wolverhampton
Tel: (01902) 571260
Advice service for Asian women
• Base 25
Castle House, Wheelers Fold, Wolverhampton WV1 1ST
Tel: (01902) 572040
Freephone: 0800 073 0233
Advice and information centre for young people
• Blakenhall Community Advice Centre,
164 Dudley Road, Blakenhall, Wolverhampton, WV2 3DN
Tel: (01902) 572353
Advice and information for the local community, including benefits and welfare rights, debt, support for refugees and asylum seekers. Dari, Farsi, Pashto, Punjabi. Access to interpreters.
• Heath Town Support & Information Centre,
236 Chervil Rise, Heath Town,Wolverhampton, WV10 0HR
Tel: (01902) 553881
• National Debtline – Freephone 0808 808 4000 between 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am to 1pm on Saturday.
An answerphone is available out of hours or visit www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/
• WARS (Wolverhampton Asylum Seeker and Refugee Services)
Federation House, 20-21 Cleveleland Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 3HT
Tel: (01902) 311554
• Wolverhampton United Ex Service Men's Charity
2 Barn Green, Birches Barn, Wolverhampton WV3 7AY
Tel: (01902) 621174
Welfare benefit advice for ex service personnel
Other Advice
• Community Legal Services Direct
If you need legal advice, Community Legal Services provide legal information leaflets and legal help factsheets which can be requested free of charge from www.clsdirect.co.uk
• Consumer Credit Counselling Service
Budgeting tips and practical advice on how to manage debt is aveilable at www.cccs.co.uk The CCCS also offer advice on the wise use of credit and how to establish manageable plans to repay debts.
Freephone 0800 138 1111 Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm
• Financial Services Authority
Tips on how to avoid getting into debt, managing your debts and what to do if your circumstances change can be found on the Financial Services website. Take their Debt Awareness Test at www.fsa.gov.uk/consumer/debt_test/ for useful hints on managing your money and ways to avoid getting further into debt.
Credit Unions
There are a number of Credit Unions based in Wolverhampton, including one for people living or working in Wolverhampton. Other credit unions are based in different areas of the City.
Credit Unions
• are regulated in the same way as banks and building societies
• encourage people to save before they borrow
• offer low interest loans with up to three years to pay
• have no minimum savings requirement
For more information on Credit Unions, contact the Wolverhampton City Credit Union at 73 Worcester Street, Wolverhampton, WV2 4LE phone 01902 572340 or email wolfcul@yahoo.co.uk. or www.wolfsavingsandloans.co.uk
Alternatively visit the Association of British Credit Unions website www.abcul.org