What are Housing and Council Tax Benefit?

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are national welfare benefits, which help people pay the rent and Council Tax for the homes they live in.  Housing Benefit is also known as Rent Rebate (if you rent your home from the Council, this includes Sheffield Homes) or Rent Allowance (if you rent your home from a private landlord, including a Housing Association).   More information about who pays Council Tax can be found on our Council Tax webpages.

 

Private Sector Housing have pages dedicated to offering help and advice for private landlords and tenants.

 

The rules for working out Housing and Council Tax Benefit are set by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), even though the benefits are paid by Sheffield City Council.  All Councils have to follow the same rules.

 

The DWP are also responsible for administering other welfare benefits, including Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance.