London Borough of Croydon

How to make a claim for housing benefit and council tax support

Universal credit/Housing benefit

Most residents in Croydon do not need to apply for housing benefit, because you can get Universal Credit. Universal Credit (UC) is a monthly payment introduced by the government to help with your housing and living costs. The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) are responsible for administering Universal Credit.
If you are of working age we can no longer accept new claims for Housing Benefit as you will need to claim Universal Credit. 

You can only claim housing benefit if one of these apply:

  • you are entitled and remain entitled to a severe disability premium 
  • You are of state pension age 
  • you live in supported accommodation (hostels or sheltered housing) 
  • you live in temporary accommodation provided by Croydon Council

Council Tax

Help with your Council Tax is not included in your Universal Credit payment. If you need help with paying your Council Tax you will need to apply for Council Tax Support separately.

How to claim

If you do not fall into any of the above categories to claim housing benefit you will need to claim Universal Credit online for help with your housing costs. You can apply at https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-to-claim

If you can still claim Housing Benefit or want to claim Council Tax Support you will need to apply online. To apply please use the online benefit claim form. 
Once you have completed a Housing Benefit or/and Council Tax Support online claim form you will have to provide the information requested in the evidence checklist.  


We will not be able to assess your claim until you have supplied all the proof which is needed.
You must provide this information to us within one calendar month from the date you make an application for benefit. 

How much will I get?

To see much Universal Credit you may get please use the entitled to calculator 
To work out how much Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support you might get please use the online benefits calculator. 

Please note that the calculations on the benefits calculator are estimates and may change once your claim has been fully assessed. 

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