How does your capital affect your income for Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit?

If your capital is over £6,000 you are treated as having an assumed income. This is called 'tariff income'.

If you and your partner if you are a couple have capital that exceeds £16,000 you will not be entitled to Housing or Council Tax Benefit.

Customers under 60 years old (Working age)

If you have £6,000 or less it will not affect your claim.

If you have between £6,000 and £16,000, it affects how much Council Tax Benefit you will get. For every £250 (or part of £250) you have over £6,000, we add £1 to the money we count each week when working out your benefit.

Customers over 60 years old

If you have £6000 or less (£10,000 or less if permanently in a care home) it will not affect your claim.

If you have between £6,000 and £16,000, it affects how much Council Tax Benefit you will get. For every £500 (or part of £500) you have over £6,000, we add £1 to the money we count each week when working out your benefit.