How do I make a claim?
How to make a claim for Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit.
You have to make a claim for Housing and Council Tax benefit in writing. A telephone call to our office does not count as a claim.
Usually we will pay benefit from the Monday after we receive your claim form in the office. It is important that you make your claim as soon as you can, even if you do not have all the information we may ask for.
Unless you are claiming Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance you must complete one of the council's own claim forms.
These are available by:
- contacting the housing benefit team
- visiting our offices where somebody can help you complete the form. click here for opening times.
- downloading the claim form from this website
- picking up a form at your local Citizens Advice Bureau, Money Advice Unit, YMCA, Housing Associations, Goldings House, Herts Young Homeless Group
If you are claiming Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance you will receive a claim pack from Jobcentre Plus which will include a claim form for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. You need to complete this form and return it to the Benefits Agency with your completed form for Income Support/Job Seekers Allowance. They will forward your claim to us.
If you do not hear from us within two weeks of completing your claim for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit you should contact us immediately.
If you are housebound and need help to fill in a claim form you should contact us to arrange a home visit.
If you are a couple, you and your partner have to make a joint claim for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.
This means we need information about both your incomes and savings and you will both have to sign the claim form.