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Calculating your benefit

The level of housing benefit and council tax benefit is assessed by comparing your net income with your 'applicable amount'.

This is a standard amount set by the government and it is the amount which the law says you need for day to day living expenses. It is made up of personal allowances and premiums. This is based on you or your partner’s age and your household make up.

If you are getting Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance or the Guarantee Credit part of pension credit, you will normally get all of your council tax benefit. This is the maximum amount we can pay. You may get less than the maximum amount if you have any non-dependants sharing your home.

If you do not get Income Support Job Seekers Allowance or Guarantee Credit, we compare your weekly income, including any added amount for capital together with your applicable amount.

If your weekly income is less than, or the same as, your applicable amount, we pay the maximum benefit, less amounts for any non-dependants that are living with you.

If your weekly income is more than your applicable amount we take 65p off your maximum housing benefit for each £1 of your income that is more than your applicable amount.

The minimum housing benefit payable is 50p per week.

If your weekly income is more than your applicable amount we take 20p off your maximum council tax benefit for each £1 of your income that is more than your applicable amount.