Benefits - Financial assessment

If you are still in financial difficulty due to a shortfall between your Housing Benefit entitlement and the rent you are charged, you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment. The Benefits Service will look closely at your personal circumstances and your finances, and may make an additional award of benefit if you are suffering hardship. This benefit is paid from a fixed annual fund and is not awarded to everyone who claims it.

If you have capital of more than £16 000, this includes things such as bank accounts, building society accounts, investment funds and shares, then you cannot claim Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, though you may still be eligible for Second Adult Rebate.

The only exception to the capital limit is for pensioners who receive the Guaranteed element of Pension Credit.

If you would like to know more about Housing and Council Tax Benefits, then you can telephone

•  Telephone: 01228 81720 
•  Fax: 01228 817266   
•  Textphone: 18001 01228 817000
•  Email hben@carlisle.gov.uk 

Opening hours:

•  Monday to Thursday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
•  Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Our office is based at:

Revenues & Benefits Services

Carlisle City Council

Civic Centre

Carlisle

CA3 8QG

We offer help and advice in the Customer Contact Centre

Benefits Advice Service

Benefits Advice Service

Civic Centre

Carlisle

CA3 8QG

Telephone: 01228 817400  Fax: 01228 817401

e-mail: bac@carlisle.gov.uk

Citizens Advice

5-6 Old Post Office Court

Devonshire Street

Carlisle

CA3 8LE

Telephone: 01228 633900

Law Centre

Community Law Centre

8 Spencer Street

Carlisle

CA1 1BG

Telephone: 01228 515129   Fax: 01228 515819

Job Centre Plus

Broadacre House

16/20 Lowther Street

Carlisle

CA3 8DA

Telephone: 01228 829700

Age Concern

Freephone Information Line 0800 00 99 66

National Debt Line

Freephone: 0808 808 4000

Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm Saturday 9.30am to 1pm

24 hour voicemail service on the same number

One Parent Families Advice Line

Telephone: 0800 018 5026