Applicable Amounts
The Government decide an amount that they believe is the minimum that you and your family need to live on each week. This figure is called your "applicable amount", and will be compared against your income and capital to work out how much Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit you receive.
Your applicable amount varies depending on your age, the size of your family, and any special needs you have (for example whether you are disabled).
The applicable amount has three main parts, these are:
- An amount for you and your partner - your personal allowance.
- An amount for any dependant children - your children's personal allowance.
- A premium - an element which you may qualify for to cover any special needs which you have.
Once your personal allowances and allowances for your children have been worked out, if you meet the qualifying conditions premiums can be added to make up your applicable amount.
Once your income goes over your applicable amount then for every extra pound you have, you lose 65p from your Housing Benefit and 20p from your Council Tax Benefit.
If you are receiving Jobseekers Allowance (Income Based), Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related) Income Support or Guaranteed Pension Credit we will not need to determine your applicable amount, and you will get maximum Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.
The Personal Allowance and Premiums shown below apply from April 2011. The government usually increases the amounts every April.
From 1 April 2012 the Personal Allowances and Premiums will be increasing. The new rate of Allowances from 1 April 2012 can also be found below.
| Personal Allowance for People under State Pension Credit Age | April 11 £ |
April 12 £ |
|
| Single claimant | Aged 16-24 | 53.45 | 56.25 |
| Aged 25 or over | 67.50 | 71.00 | |
| Lone Parent | Aged under18 (HB only) | 53.45 | 56.25 |
| Aged over 18 | 67.50 | 71.00 | |
| Couple | Both under 18 | 80.75 | 84.95 |
| One or both over 18 | 105.95 | 111.45 | |
| Polygamous Partner | Amount for each additional spouse | 38.45 | 40.45 |
| Personal Allowance for People over State Pension Credit Age | April 11 £ |
April 12 £ |
|
| Single claimant | Over State Pension Credit Age but under 65 | 137.35 | 142.70 |
| Aged over 65 | 157.90 | 161.25 | |
| Lone Parent | Over State Pension Credit Age but under 65 | 137.35 | 142.70 |
| Aged over 65 | 157.90 | 161.25 | |
| Couple | One or both aged Over State Pension Credit Age | 209.70 | 217.90 |
| One member or both members aged over 65 | 236.80 | 241.65 |
If you do not know when your state pension credit age is then you can work this out on the Direct Gov Calculator.
| Personal Allowances if you have Children | April 11 £ |
April 12 £ |
|
| Dependant Child or Young Person | Amount for every child from date of birth to first Monday in the September following16th birthday. | 62.33 | 64.99 |
| Amount per child from September following the 16th birthday to day before 20th birthday as long as receiving Child Benefit. | 62.33 | 64.99 |
|
Premiums |
April 11 £ |
April 12 £ |
|
| Family Premium | Awarded once to all families with dependant children. | 17.40 | 17.40 |
| Family Premium (Lone Parent) | Awarded once to all loan parents with dependant children | 22.20 | 22.20 |
| Disability Premium | Single Rate | 28.85 | 30.35 |
| Enhanced Disability Premium | Couple Rate | 41.10 | 43.25 |
| Single / Loan Parent | 14.05 | 14.80 | |
| Couple | 20.25 | 21.30 | |
| Child | 21.63 | 22.89 | |
| Severe Disability Premium | Single | 55.30 | 58.20 |
| Couple one Qualifies | 55.30 | 58.20 | |
| Couple both Qualifies | 110.60 | 116.40 | |
| Disabled Child Premium | 53.62 | 56.63 | |
| Carer Premium | 31.00 | 32.60 |
Second Adult Rebate
If you share your home with another person, who is not liable to pay the Council Tax bill, and you have lost your Single Person Discount as a result you may qualify for Second Adult Rebate.
Second Adult Rebate can reduce your Council Tax bill if the second occupier is on a low income, and does not pay rent to live in your home.
Although you the Council Tax payer have to apply, it is based on the gross income of the Second Adult who lives with you.
Please find the amount of income which the second adult can have before loosing entitlement to Second Adult Rebate, and the amount it can reduce your Council Tax bill by.
If you have any questions please call us on 0208 356 3399 and we can send you a form to apply.
|
2nd Adult Rebate |
April 11 | |
| Second adult(s) in receipt of IS or JSA(IB), ESA (IR) or Pension Credit living with full time student household | 100% | |
| Second Adult(s) in receipt of IS or JSA(IB), ESA (IR) or Pension Credit | 25% | |
| Second Adult Gross Income | Less than £177 per week | 15% |
| £177 to £231.00 per week | 7.5% |
|
2nd Adult Rebate |
April 12 | |
| Second adult(s) in receipt of IS or JSA(IB), ESA (IR) or Pension Credit living with full time student household | 100% | |
| Second Adult(s) in receipt of IS or JSA(IB), ESA (IR) or Pension Credit | 25% | |
| Second Adult Gross Income | Less than £180 per week | 15% |
| £180 to £235.00 per week | 7.5% |
Page updated: 26 Jan 2012
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