Welfare Benefits
The easiest way to check your entitlement to benefits is to go online and enter your details for an up to date assessment. Don’t forget to check again should your circumstances change.
Simply go to www.entitledto.com and use the calculator.
If you are unable to use the internet securely, just contact our Money Management Officer who can check your entitlement for you.
Scarborough Borough Council does provide help towards paying your rent and council tax for households on low incomes. The lower your income, the greater the help.
The council have its own calculator to help you to assess whether you qualify for help just go to www.scarborough.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=11971
If you are not entitled to help from the council but are still experiencing difficulties in paying your rent, they have a discretionary fund where they can consider short-term help. This is called “discretionary housing payments” and further details are on the councils’ website www.scarborough.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=13820
If your claim for housing or council tax benefit is successful, it is still important that you tell the council promptly of any change in your circumstances. This could result in an award of increased help or it might mean that your benefit is reduced or cancelled. Act quickly to avoid any overpayment of benefit which can be re-claimed back from you by the council.
In the event of an overpayment, you will be expected to repay the amount at a rate to suit your circumstances and in this situation, you should provide the council with an income/expenditure statement to support your offer payment. A suitable form is available here for you to print and use.
You can contact Scarborough council on the following telephone numbers:-
Housing Benefit Enquiry Line: 0800 0830428
Benefits.office@scarborough.gov.uk
Council Tax General Enquiries: 01723 232323
Council Tax Recoveries Department: 01723 232393
For more information read our "Guide to Housing Benefit" leaflet
