How to claim
If you are making a claim for
Retirement Pension with the Pensions Service or for Jobseekers
Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or Income Support with
the Jobcentre Plus, a claim for Housing and / or Council Tax
benefit will be made at the same time, they will then forward
the details to the Council. In all other cases you need to
complete our Housing and Council Tax claim form.
Will I qualify?
You can use our online Housing
Benefit calculator by following the link, this should be used
for guidance only and is not a claim for benefit. To claim
you can either pick a Housing and Council Tax Benefit claim form up
from Contact Harlow, the Citizens Advice
Bureau, Harlow Welfare Rights and Advice or telephone and
request one on 01279 446633, alteratively you can or
download a Housing and
Council Tax Benefit Claim Form (pdf) 357kb by clicking on
the link.
When should you claim?
You need to apply as soon as you think you need benefit, as
your claim will usually be paid from the Monday following the
receipt of your claim form.
Benefit is not usually paid from an earlier date, backdating
may only be considered if you apply in writing and have a good
reason for not applying earlier, please follow this link for more
details about
backdating claims for benefit.
If you are moving you can apply up to 13 weeks before you take
up the tenancy although benefit will not start to be paid until you
move into your new home. If you move within Harlow and are
already in receipt of benefit you do not need to make a new claim
as this is classed as a
change of
circumstances, follow the link for further details.
Jump The Queue!
Your benefit claim will jump to the front of the queue and be
treated as top priority if you provide all the information required
with a fully completed and signed application form, to find out
more you should follow this jump the queue link
which will take you to a printable set of instructions.
Do not delay in sending or bringing in your application form
to us even if you do not have all the necessary information, as
this may delay your claim, however your claim will not be assessed
until all proofs have been received a checklist is in
the Housing and Council Tax Benefit Claim Form or you can
follow this link to the
Proof Required section.