When assessing Council Tax Benefit entitlement we take into account the following things:

• Income: How much money you have coming in
• Capital: Your savings and investments. Also property & land (other than your home)
• Your personal circumstances: for example, your age, how many children you have, whether you are disabled, whether you have other people living with you who do not depend on you for support.
  Council Tax Charge: The amount of your Council Tax if you are applying for Council Tax Benefit
• If you are receiving Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

If you are receiving Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, you will usually be entitled to receive full benefit. However, if you have any non-dependants living with you (for example, an adult son, daughter or a parent), we may make a deduction from your benefit.

If you are not receiving Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, we will work out your benefit based on the money you have coming in, your savings and investments and family circumstances.

So we can work out your benefit, we need you to give us proof of all the income, savings and investments you, or your partner, have.

If you have a non-dependant living with you, you will also have to give us details of their income and savings.

Income includes such things as earnings, pensions, benefits and maintenance you receive.

Savings and investments include such things as cash, money in a bank or building society, stocks, shares and other properties.

Applicable Amount: If you are not receiving Income Support or income-based Job Seekers Allowance your income will be assessed against an 'Applicable Amount'. This is a needs allowance made up of allowances & premiums based on your personal & family circumstances. These allowances & premiums are set by Central Government. The higher your net income is above your Applicable Amount, the less benefit you will be entitled to.