Applying for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction

You can apply and notify the Council of changes to your circumstances in many different ways. They are as follows:

Visit a Solihull Connect Walk-In Centre - Please be advised that it may be necessary to complete applications and details of changes on a hand written form, one of our advisors can assist you with this.

The claim will not be classed as complete until you have provided two forms of ID for yourself and your partner (where relevant), proof of your National Insurance number for both yourself and your partner and any other evidence that is requested to support your claim. You can do this by calling into one of our walk-in centres with your original documents. If you are not able to get into a walk-in centre, you can request a home visit. 

Home visits - If you are not able to come into one of our offices, you can request a home visit. Phone 0121 704 8200 to book an appointment.

During the visit we will complete an electronic application form for you. You will need to supply us with information about your finances and your household. During the visit we will take photographic evidence of the relevant information as required.

We hold a legal authority (directive) to collect data submitted by electronic claims. For a copy of this directive please see the attachment titled Electronic Directive.

Alternatively, you can complete a written application form. To request a form you can:

• download a copy and print off from the attachments on the right or
• call into any one of the walk-in centres and collect one or
• ring 0121 704 8200 and request a form is sent to you in the post.

If you complete the application form with a member of staff, you will be given an Evidence Checklist. This will list the further evidence you will need to provide to enable us to assess your claim.

Please note that any delay in providing all evidence required may result in your claim being refused or delayed.

What is the best way to make a claim?

We are happy to receive a completed application form and all the required supporting evidence using any of the above options. 

Benefit calculator

Within the Online Service section at the top of this page you will find a Benefit calculator.

Please note that the calculation of entitlement given is only an estimate based on the information you supply. For a full and comprehensive assessment of your benefit entitlement please complete a Housing and Council Tax Benefit application form.