Benefits
Find out about Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Winter Fuel Payment and benefit fraud, as well as our benefits calculator.
For help or advice, our Benefits Team can advise on Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction.
For help with the Household Support fund, please email hsf@westberks.gov.uk. For assistance with Universal Credit (UC), please visit the GOV.UK website, or contact the UC helpline.
You can also find out about Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) on the Housing pages and other financial support on our Cost of Living pages.
Apply for the Household Support Fund
Due to an unprecedented demand for the West Berkshire Council Household Support Fund, all grant funding has been committed and we are currently closed to applications. We are awaiting further information around additional funding from DWP.
Claim Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Reduction
How to claim a reduction in rent through Housing Benefit and/or a reduction in Council Tax through Council Tax Reduction.
Council Tax Reduction (CTR) Scheme
Find out about the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2023/24, including eligibility and Exceptional Hardship Fund.
Appeal a Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Reduction decision
What to do if you disagree with our decision about your entitlement to Housing Benefit and/ or Council Tax Reduction.
Calculate your Council Tax Reduction and Housing Benefit
Use our online benefits calculator to estimate how much Council Tax Reduction and/or Housing Benefit you might receive.
Ask for advice about Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction
Help for new or existing Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Reduction claims.
Universal Credit
An introduction to Universal Credit (paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)), eligibility, where to make a claim, and where to get support.
Reporting benefit fraud
How and where to report Housing Benefit or Council Tax/Council Tax Reduction fraud.
Winter Fuel Payments
Information about the Government's Winter Fuel Payments, to help those born before 25th September 1957 with heating their home in winter.
Share this page
