Housing and council tax benefit are government schemes to help those on low income with the cost of rent and council tax.

East Lothian Council's benefit team process housing and council tax benefit claims.

Housing benefit is a means-tested benefit so the amount of benefit you get depends on:

• your income
• your savings or capital
• other people living with you

Housing benefit can generally be claimed by the person liable to pay rent, whether that is in council or private accommodation.

Council tax benefit can be claimed by anyone who has a council tax liability. This includes owner/occupiers.

Claims for housing and council tax benefit in East Lothian must be made on a Benefit Application Form and must include supporting evidence.

You can collect a Benefit Application Form from any housing or local office or call the number below and a form can be sent to you.

If income support, jobseekers allowance or pension credits are being claimed, housing and council tax benefit can also be claimed using the application form they provide.

Second Adult Rebate

Second Adult Rebate is paid to claimants who cannot get Single Person Discount for council tax as they have one or more adults living in the household on a non-commercial basis.

Second Adult Rebate is only normally awarded where there is a single claimant, but can be awarded to a couple if one of them is a disregarded person e.g. Severally Mentally Impaired.

Definition of a Second Adult - over 18 years of age.

Second Adult Rebate is claimed by the liable person (any rebate awarded will be credited to their account), and is based on the total GROSS income of all second adults living in the household. The income of the claimant is ignored.

The calculation is:

gross income of adult(s) in the property paid as a percentage of the council tax liability

Contact(s)

If you require any further information, please contact:

Benefits Team
East Lothian Council
PO Box 13261
Haddington
EH41 3YG

Telephone: 01620 827124 or 827887
Email: benefits@eastlothian.gov.uk

Alternatively, you can visit the Benefits team at East Lothian Council, Revenues Section, Court Street, Haddington