RR2 - A guide to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit
Further information
Rates of benefits
Rates of benefits are published each year in Social Security Uprating Regulations which are approved by Parliament each year. Benefits are usually uprated in April, at the beginning of each financial year.
Details of the benefit rates of all social security benefits, including Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, are in the leaflet Social secuirity benefit rates (BRA5DWP). You can get it from your social security office.
Guides and leaflets and where to get them
All the guides mentioned in this guide are free of charge. Social security guides and some others are available from your Jobcentre Plus office or from The Pension Service. For your nearest office look for the display advert under Jobcentre Plus, social security or Jobcentre in the business numbers section of the phone book.
Some guides are also in post offices or Jobcentres. Leaflets on Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are also available from your local council.
Community Advisers who belong to an organisation that gives benefits information to the public can join the Department for Work and Pensions Publicity Register (PR). The PR gives advisers access to information from the DWP and its other agencies. To join call 0845 602 4444 or fax 0870 241 2634 (9am – 6pm, Monday to Friday).
Detailed information guides
| BRA5DWP | Social Security Benefit Rates |
| HB5 | A guide to non-contributory benefits for disabled people |
| IS20 | A guide to Income Support (this link will take you to the Jobcentre Plus website) |
| JSAL5JCP | Jobseeker’s Allowance – helping you back to work |
| NI17A | A guide to maternity benefits |
| NI260 | A guide to Revision, Supersession and Appeals |
| NP45 | A guide to Bereavement Benefits (this link will take you to the Jobcentre Plus website) |
| NP46 | A guide to State Pensions (this link will take you to the Pension Service website) |
| PC10S | A guide to Pension Credit (this link will take you to the Pension Service website) |
| SB16 | A guide to The Social Fund |
Benefit Enquiry Line
A confidential telephone service for people with disabilities and their carers. Ring the Benefit Enquiry Line (BEL) on 0800 88 22 00. People with speech or hearing problems using a text phone can dial 0800 24 33 55. Open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6.30pm, and Saturday 9.00am to 2.00pm.
The person taking your call will not have your personal papers but will be able to give you general advice. This advice must not be taken as a decision on any matter about which you are making an enquiry.
The Acts and Regulations
The Acts and Regulations which set down the rules explained in this guide are included in, The Law Relating to Social Security (also known as the blue volumes),