Housing & Council Tax Benefits

Housing and Council Tax Benefit are ‘means tested’ state benefits that helps people on low incomes to pay their rent and Council Tax.

Here in the Benefits Office we receive, assess and pay claims for Housing and Council Tax Benefit. We provide advice on claiming Housing and Council Tax Benefit and also give advice about claiming other related Welfare Benefits.

The amount of Housing Benefit that is awarded depends upon the circumstances of the person making the claim and those of other people in their household. People in receipt of housing benefit must therefore notify the Council in writing, immediately if they have a change of circumstances.

We regularly visit customers who receive Housing Benefit to make sure we are paying the correct amount of benefit to the right person. In addition, we have a Fraud Team that investigate all allegations of benefit fraud, and an Overpayments Team who take the appropriate action to recover overpayments of benefit if they occur.

The Department for Work and Pensions plan to introduce the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) in the Western Isles from 1st April 2008.

Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar complies with the data protection act in respect of personal information held. To make an application for Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit, you will need to complete and return a Benefit Application Form 

Our Customer Contract sets out the standards of service we intend to give our customers.

If you are receiving Housing Benefit and/ or Council Tax Benefit but need extra help, find out about Discretionary Housing Payments.