If you have a benefits enquiry you can speak to a Customer Services Officer who can help you.  To resolve your query quickly you can call 01827 709709.  Alternatively email us or use our web chat service. If you feel you need a face to face appointment with a Customer Service Officer then please call to arrange.

Office Hours:

• Monday to Thursday: 8.45am - 5.10pm. Last appointment: 4.30pm
• Friday: 8.45am - 5.05pm. Last appointment: 4.00pm. 

Housing Benefit can be paid if you rent from the Council, a housing association or a private landlord. Council Tax reduction can be paid to those who are liable for Council Tax. Second Adult Rebate can only be claimed by people who are state pension credit age.

Extra help with your Council Tax bill

Council Tax Support Fund
Tamworth Council has been provided with £131 563.00 share of a Council Tax Support Fund (announced by the government alongside the 2023/24 provisional Local Government Finance Settlement) to enable councils to support the most vulnerable households in England in 2023 to 2024.

The majority of funding is intended to reduce bills for current working age and pension age Local Council Tax Support (LCTS) households by up to £25 where they have a council tax bill to pay. Any remaining funds can be used by councils to support vulnerable households with council tax bills via their own locally agreed discretionary scheme.

The Council Tax Support award is automatically applied to eligible households and appears on your Council Tax bill for 2023/24 under Local Council Tax Discount reducing the balance to pay by up to £25.

Tamworth Council’s discretionary policy provides a discretionary top up award of up to £20 where there is still a balance to pay. 

Council Tax Support Fund Policy 2023-24

 

Useful links:

• Benefit forms
• Claim What's Yours booklet
• Council Tax Reduction Scheme - this has replaced Council Tax Benefit.
• Housing Benefit payment dates
• Our performance figures
• Overpayments - how to repay Housing Benefits
• Private tenants: assessed under Local Housing Allowance scheme
• Video guide to applying for benefits
• Welfare Benefit Reform (Universal Credit)

Benefit will be based on:

• The amount of money you have coming in and savings: including shares and bonds
• The make up of your household and your personal circumstances
• The amount of eligible rent and Council Tax you pay (certain items that may be included in your rent are excluded when calculating entitlement)

Second Adult Rebate: A form of Council Tax reduction available to people of State Pension Credit age with a second adult living in their property, who is not their partner, calculated on the second adult's income (aged at least 18 and not paying rent to the person liable for Council Tax). Capital must be under £16,000 (If you receive Pension Credit Guarantee your capital can be more than £16,000). Claims can be backdated if there is a valid reason why you were unable to apply for Housing Benefit/Council Tax Reduction earlier.

Contact: Tel: (01827) 709540. Email benefits@tamworth.gov.uk

N.B. We sometimes need to check the information about you or other adults that live with you, with other information we hold or other organisations hold, including The Department for Work and Pensions and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs,  as allowed by law.
We may check information you have provided, including self-employed details or information about your household that somebody else has provided, with other information held by us. We may also get information about you or other adults that live with you from third parties, or give them information.