Benefits and financial help | Westmorland and Furness Council

Housing Benefit

Check if you can claim, how to make a claim, when payments will be made, and what to do if you overpaid.

Council Tax Reduction

Find out if you can get a reduction on your Council Tax bill, how it is calculated and how to apply.

Claim for Universal Credit

If you are on a low income or out of work, you may be eligible for Universal Credit.

Apply for Crisis Resilience Fund (CRF) Housing Payments

Extra payments to help you pay your rent if you’re already receiving Housing Benefit or housing cost payments from Universal Credit. They replaced Discretionary Housing Payments on 1 April 2026.

Report a change in your circumstances

If anything happens which might affect how much benefit you get, you must tell us immediately.

Cost of living support

Financial support including the household support fund, food support, help with your bills, childcare costs and transport costs.

Temporary absence from home affecting your benefit claim

The length of time you can receive benefits depends on whether you’re absent outside the UK or not, and the reason for your absence.

Supporting documents for a benefit or reduction claim

You must provide documents, such as evidence of identity and proof of earnings, with your application form.

Backdating your benefits or reduction

If there has been a reason which stopped or delayed you making a claim for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction you can ask for your claim to be 'backdated'.

Appeal a Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction decision

Any 'person affected' by a decision regarding Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction can ask us to revise our decision or appeal to an independent tribunal.

How we calculate Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction

What is considered when you make a claim for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction.

Applicable amounts

The applicable amount is the amount of money the government believes you, your partner (if you have one) and your family (if applicable) need to meet your necessary weekly costs.

Contact the Benefits Team

Contact the Benefits Team in your area for advice or to book an appointment.

Revenues and benefits service privacy notice

This notice explains what data will collect, who it will be shared with, why we need it and how we will use it.

Discretionary Housing Payments Policy

How we administer discretionary housing payments