Benefits

We issue Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction (formerly Council Tax Benefit) to those in need in Copeland. These benefits may be provided to those who are on low income or are unemployed, carers, sick or disabled.

Please note that we do not own any housing (council houses). Housing is provided by either social housing providers (such as Home Group or Impact Housing), private landlords, or supported accommodation providers.

Housing Benefit 

Housing Benefit may be provided to those who are not able to afford their rent or ground rent. This can be paid to a resident or directly to a landlord, depending on the circumstances, to help cover the cost of the rent or ground rent. View our Housing Benefit information for residents and Housing Benefit information for landlords.

Council Tax Reduction

Council Tax Reduction enables eligible residents to receive up to a 100 per cent reduction on their Council Tax bill. 

Discretionary Housing Payments 

In addition to Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Reduction, we can also make Discretionary Housing Payments when extra financial support is needed.

Other benefits

Other benefits are available to eligible residents and are processed and issued by other organisations. For more information go to www.gov.uk/browse/benefits or www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits(link is external)

We are required by law to publish our Housing and Council Tax Benefit Electronic Communications Order and the Council Tax Reduction Prescribed Requirements Regulations.

War Pensions

We fully disregard war pension payments when calculating eligibility for housing benefit and council tax reduction. 

Find out if you can claim war pension.

Cost of living payment

If you are getting certain benefits or tax credits, you may be able to get a payment to help with the cost of living. You do not need to apply - if you are eligible, you’ll be paid automatically. These payments are not taxable and will not affect the benefits or tax credits you get.

You may get a payment of £650, paid in two lump sums, if you get any of the following and were entitled to one of them on May 25, 2022:

• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit

If you are eligible, you will get one payment from July 2022 and a second in autumn 2022.

You may get a payment of £650 paid in two lump sums if you receive any of the following:

• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit

If you are entitled, you will get one payment from autumn 2022, and a second from winter 2022. You will need to have been entitled to tax credits on May 25, 2022, to get the first payment. You won't get the payment if you’re eligible for a Cost of Living Payment from the DWP because you’re getting a low income benefit.

You may get an additional payment of £150 if you’re getting any of the following:

• Attendance Allowance
• Constant Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance for adults
• Disability Living Allowance for children
• Personal Independence Payment
• Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
• Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• War Pension Mobility Supplement

You will need to have been entitled to one of these qualifying benefits on May 25, 2022, to get the payment. You will get the payment by the end of September 2022.

If you’re entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2022 to 2023, you will get an extra £300 for your household paid with your normal payment from November 2022. This is in addition to any Cost of Living Payment you get with your benefit or tax credits. The full amount of Winter Fuel Payment you will get for winter 2022 to 2023 depends on your circumstances.

More information on any of the Cost of Living payments.

Your data

The Revenues and Benefits Privacy Notice tells you what to expect when Cumberland Council collects personal information about you and members of your household. See more information on Cumberland Council data protection and privacy.