Housing and other benefits
General information
The rules governing the rights to benefits for persons from abroad are complex and depend on your immigration status and country of origin.
If you are not a UK Citizen or an EEA Citizen, you should always seek expert advice because claiming benefits may affect your right to remain in the UK.
No recourse to public funds
- Your rights -No recourse to public funds
- niDirect - Benefits for non-UK nationals
- Housing rights for refugees
Depending on your Immigration Status and your country of origin, you may be entitled to some benefits and tax credits.
If you are a couple and one of you is subject to immigration control and the other is not, you should seek advice.
EEA States
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EEA citizens
Full benefits rights
- EEA citizens who have resided lawfully for at least 5 years in the UK. For your residence to be lawful for benefits purposes, you must have been an employee, a self-employed person, a job seeker, a student, or a mixture of those for all that time.
Changes to Rights
A8 - changes to rights post 2011
- A8 Nationals - Ending of Restrictions on Right to Reside
- Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Circular
- Migrants Rights Network - FAQ
Partial benefits rights
- EEA citizens who have not completed five years lawful residence, will be entitled to in-work and disability benefits. If you are no longer in work, you must claim Jobseekers Allowance. You may be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance if you are no longer fit for work. You are not entitled to Income Support even if you are a lone parent or a carer.
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Rules for EEA A8 citizens from Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia changed on May 1st 2011.
- EEA A2 citizens from Romania and Bulgaria. You may claim in-work benefits whilst in authorised work. If you change jobs within that first year, that work must also be authorised.
Advice-giving agencies
Aberdeen Welfare Rights Tel: 01224 523203 or welfarer@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Housing Benefit
Your entitlement to the following is subject to your immigration status. Always get advice if you are not a UK Citizen.
Housing benefit is to help you pay your rent if you are out of work or on a low income. (You will need to provide evidence of your total household income and savings when you fill in the housing benefit claim form). You can get a form from your local Council benefits office (see below).
Housing benefit is available to those who pay rent and have permanent right to reside in the UK. Housing benefit requires both the claimant and any partner to have a valid national insurance number.
Local Housing Allowance
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is a way of working out the amount of Housing benefit. It is for people on a low income who rent from private landlords. It is based on the area in which you live and the number of bedrooms you need.
The amount of LHA payable depends on your financial and personal circumstances.
- Aberdeen City Council - Local Housing Allowance
- Aberdeenshire Council - Local Housing Allowance
- Online calculator to estimate level of Local Housing Allowance and other benefits
Housing Benefit Offices
Aberdeen City Council
Council Tax and Benefits Section
Housing Benefit
Crown House
27-29 Crown Street
Aberdeen, AB11 6HA
Phone: 01224 346789
Email: counciltax@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Web: Aberdeen City Council - Housing Benefit
Aberdeenshire Council
Po Box 18533, Inverurie, AB51 5WX
Phone: 08456 08 01 49
Email: benefits@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Web: Aberdeenshire Council - Benefits Offices
Council Tax
Council tax is a local tax set by each Council in the UK to help to pay for the services they provide (eg: refuse collection)
- There is a single bill for each house
- The person who pays the Council tax is usually the owner or the tenant of the property
- Council tax is based on the value of each house
- Houses are placed in one of 8 valuation ‘bands’ according to their estimated market value
- The amount of Council tax to be paid is decided by local Councils and varies year on year
- There is a 25% discount for those living on their own
- Council tax benefit is available to help those on low incomes pay the Tax, depending on the total household income. Council tax benefit does not include water and sewerage charges
The tax year runs from April to March and each March you will be sent a bill showing your payments for the next financial year.
Everyone over the age of 18 has to pay Council tax. When you move into your home you must contact your local Council tax office (see housing benefit offices above).
Council tax benefit
If you are unemployed and claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) or Income Support, or if you are on a low income, you may be eligible for Council tax benefit to help you pay your Council tax.
Other benefits
Job Seeker’s Allowance
You may be entitled if you are unemployed and looking for work. You must make an appointment at the Jobcentre Plus Office.
Claim line number: 0800 0556688
Enquiries: 0845 608 8749
Jobcentre Plus
| Ebury House 14 Dee Street Aberdeen AB11 6DR Tel: 01224 618000 |
2-4 South Harbour Road Fraserburgh AB43 9RZ Tel: 01346 462600 |
63 St Peter Street Peterhead Aberdeenshire AB42 1UX Tel: 01779 428400 |
Income support
You may be entitled if you are a Carer or a Lone Parents whose youngest child is under 10 (By 2012 lone parents will only be entitled to Income Support if their youngest child is under 7). If you are working, it must be less than 16 hours a week. EEA Citizens who have not completed 5 years lawful residence are not entitled to this benefit.
Employment and support allowance
You may be entitled if you are unfit for work through sickness or disability.
Working tax credit
You may be entitled if you are on low pay below a certain amount. You must work at least 16 hours a week if you have children, are disabled or, in certain circumstances, are over 50. If none of those apply to you, you must be over 25 and working at least 30 hours a week.
Child tax credit
You may be entitled if you have responsibility for a child and your income is below a certain amount.
Child benefit
You may be entitled if you have responsibility for a child or a qualifying young person. This benefit is not means-tested.
Disability living allowance (DLA)
You may be entitled if you are under 65 and have difficulty getting around and/or looking after yourself. This Benefit is not means-tested and will not be taken into account as income for means tested benefits.
Attendance allowance
You may be entitled if you are over 65 and have difficulty looking after yourself. This Benefit is not means-tested and will not be taken into account as income for means-tested benefits.
Carer’s allowance
If you care for someone who is disabled, you may be entitled to Carer’s Allowance. Always seek advice about this as a claim for Carer’s Allowance may reduce the benefits of the person cared for. This benefit is not means-tested but will be taken into account as income for other benefits.
