Most people who rent their homes – whether from the Council, a housing association or any other public or private landlord – and are on a low income may qualify for housing benefit and/or Council Tax benefit. These schemes were introduced by the government to help people on low incomes with their rent and Council Tax. The amount of Benefit you get can be enough to pay all or some of the rent due.
The Housing Benefit Scheme is known as a housing (rent) rebate for Council tenants and as a rent allowance for Housing Association tenants and tenants in the private rented sector. The scheme is run by the Council’s Revenues Service, who can be contacted at:
Revenues Service
Callendar Square One-Stop Shop
Unit MSU1
Callendar Square
Falkirk
Tel: 01324 506999
If you want to claim Housing Benefit it is very important that you do so as quickly as possible. Housing Benefit is usually paid from the Monday following the date of application, although there is a facility to backdate a claim in exceptional circumstances.
More information about claiming Housing Benefit can be found here|.