Benefits

We issue Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support (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 Support

Council Tax Support (also known as 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.

Test and Trace Support Payments

We offer Test and Trace Support Payments for those financially affected by self-isolation. This can also include being affected by a child self-isolating.

Other benefits

Other benefits are available to eligible Copeland residents and are processed and issued by organisations other than Copeland Borough Council. 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.