We can provide advice about:
- The housing register called Gateway to Homechoice (East Suffolk District Council)
- Tenant’s rights
- Homelessness
Useful links
ICCARS A charity that provides free help to tenants and homeowners who are being taken to Ipswich County Court by their landlord or mortgage lender
ESC – finding somewhere to live
Help with housing arrears
ESC – housing advice drop-in surgeries
ESC – homelessness advice and prevention
Council Tax Reduction
Formerly called Council Tax Benefit and sometimes also called Council Tax Support.
If you are eligible for Council Tax Reduction you apply through your local council. See the East Suffolk Council website for more information:
- You can pay and manage your Council Tax and Housing Benefit online using the Anglia Revenues Partnership website
If you live in an area covered by a different local council, please contact your own council. If you’re not sure which Council you live in you can find out from the Find your local council page on Gov.uk.
Council Tax Reduction for Disabled People – Further source of guidance if you are disabled or have a disabled person living with you on your entitlement to a reduction in Council Tax.
Housing Benefit
You could get Housing Benefit to help you pay your rent if you’re on a low income.
Housing Benefit can pay for part or all of your rent. How much you get depends on your income and circumstances.
You can apply for Housing Benefit whether you’re unemployed or working.
You may also be able to get help with your rent if your benefits stop.
You can pay and manage your Council Tax and Housing Benefit online using the Anglia Revenues Partnership website.
How to claim Housing Benefit
How you claim Housing Benefit depends on whether you are claiming other benefits or not.
If you are not claiming benefits you claim through your local council. See the East Suffolk Council website for more information:
- You can pay and manage your Council Tax and Housing Benefit online using the Anglia Revenues Partnership website
If you live in an area covered by a different local council, please contact your own council. If you’re not sure which Council you live in you can find out from the Find your local council page on Gov.uk.
Discretionary Housing Payments
If you get some Housing Benefit but are having difficulty paying the rest of your rent yourself, or, if you are considering moving to more affordable accommodation you may be able to get a discretionary housing payment.
To find out more and how to apply if you are eligible you need to contact East Suffolk Council (or your own local council if you live in a different area).
There’s more information on the East Suffolk Council website:
- You can apply online for a Discretionary Payment using the Anglia Revenues Partnership website
More advice on housing and residential care
Housing Benefit – Guidance on eligibility for financial help to pay your rent if you’re on low income whether you’re working or not.
Residential Care and Nursing Homes – Guidance on things to consider if you or a relative needs to move into a residential care home or nursing home.
Paying for Long term Care – Guidance on your contribution towards the cost of residential care and nursing home fees. Your local council will work out how much you may have to pay by carrying out a financial assessment.