Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit (Rate Rebate in Northern Ireland) are benefits for people on a low income who need help paying their Council Tax bill and/or their rent. If you qualify for Carer's Allowance, the amount of Council Tax Benefit or Housing Benefit (Rate Rebate in Northern Ireland) you can get may be increased.

Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit are worked out in a similar way to Income Support. The amount you can claim depends on your 'applicable amount'. As with Income Support, if you are receiving Carer's Allowance you will qualify for a carer premium of £27.75 a week to be added on to your applicable amount when your benefit is worked out. If you are a couple and both of you are carers you could qualify for double the amount - £55.50. This in turn can lead to an increase in the benefit you are paid. Your benefit should be adjusted automatically, once your claim for Carer's Allowance has been agreed. You should also qualify for the carer premium if your eligible for Carer's Allowance, but do not get it because of the overlapping benefits rule.

If you are not already claiming Pension Credit, Income Support, Council Tax Benefit (or Rate Rebate in Northern Ireland), it may be worth checking to see if you can now make a claim. See our free advice leaflet, 'Can You Claim It?' for details.