To work out how much benefit you can claim you must provide proof of all income and benefits you receive together with proof of any savings, shares, bonds, land etc you own.  We also need to know about the people who live with you.  If you rent your home from a private landlord we will also need to know what type of accommodation you live in, how many rooms etc.

1. As a starting point it is assumed that you will qualify for full benefit against your eligible rent or eligible Council Tax (see eligible rent and eligible Council Tax).
2. We must then calculate your eligible rent or eligible Council Tax.  This may be less than the rent / Council Tax you are due to pay.  If this is the case you will have to pay the difference even if you qualify for full benefit.
3. If any adults, other than your partner, live at the dwelling then a non-dependant deduction may apply and the eligible rent / Council Tax will be reduced further thereby reducing the amount of benefit you will receive.
4. From the information you give us we will work out your applicable amount.  This is simply the amount of money you and your family need to meet your basic living needs.
5. We then compare the applicable amount to your income and providing you receive less than your applicable amount then you will receive the amount of benefit determined at point 3.
6. If your income is more than your allowance then the difference is called excess income and your entitlement to benefit will be reduced by 65% of the excess income for rent and by 20% for Council Tax.

If you are on Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based) or Pension Guarantee Credit then points 4, 5 and 6 will not apply.  Instead you will receive the amount of benefit calculated at point 3.