New claims

You can download a Council Tax Benefit Form  which is also available from the Benefits Section offices at either Eastwood or Barrhead.

If you do not get Guarantee Credit, Income Support or income-based Jobseekers Allowance, you should fill in our claim form for Council Tax Benefit. We normally pay Council Tax Benefit from the Monday after we receive your claim. So you must claim as soon as you think you might be entitled to benefit.

What do I need to bring along for proof of identity?

We must see original documents, not copies. If you do not provide all the proof we need, we might not be able to pay you any benefit. We need the same proof for your partner, if you have one, and for any other adults living in your home. Please download a clarification of ID documentation form.

Benefit Offices & Contacts

Please telephone: 0141 577 3677 for Council Housing and 0141 577 3705 for non Council Housing. You can also contact us by fax on: 0141 577 3255.
We can be contacted via these numbers Monday to Thursday from 8.45am to 4.45pm, Friday 8.45am to 3.55pm.

If you wish to visit us in person our Customer Service Officers are available Monday to Friday 8.00am to 6pm

Alternatively email:

You can also contact us by post at either of these addresses;

Benefits Section
Barrhead Council Offices
Finance Department
211 Main Street
Barrhead
G78 1YS

Benefits Section
Finance Department
Council Headquarters
Eastwood Park,
Rouken Glen Road
Giffnock
G46 6UG

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q: Is it only Council tenants that can apply for Council Tax benefit?
  • A: Anyone who is liable to pay Council Tax can apply for Council Tax benefit.  If you are on a low income, you should apply for Council Tax benefit.
  • Q: How can I make a claim for Housing/Council Tax benefit?
  • A: Complete a Council Tax Benefit Claim Form at our Benefits offices, or download one from the Publications Directory on our website. You need to provide us with evidence of your identity, your National Insurance number and details of all your income and savings or other capital. We will also need this information for your partner, if you have one, along with details of anyone else living in your household.
  • Q: How long will it take to process my benefit application?
  • A: We aim to process your claim for council tax and housing benefit within 14 days of receiving the last piece of information needed to assess the claim.
  • Q: What effect does having a non-dependant living with me have on my council tax and housing benefits?
  • A: Normally, we take a certain amount off your weekly Housing Benefit for each non-dependant who lives with you. This amount is called a non-dependant deduction. The amount we deduct depends on the circumstances of the non-dependant and how much income they get. The Government sets non-dependant deductions and normally changes them every year.
  • Q: What is a 'non-dependant'?
  • A: A non-dependant is someone aged 18 or over who lives with you as part of your family but is not your partner. Examples of non-dependants are adult sons and daughters, elderly relatives or friends.

    • More Questions with Answers

Related Documents

Council Tax Benefit Claim Form (PDF 312.6kb)

Proof of identity (PDF 7kb)