Welcome to the Council tax benefit and housing benefit section of the website.

We currently have over, 21,000 benefit claimants (17,000 private tenants and 4,000 owner occupiers).

To find further information about Council tax and housing benefit please use the links below. You will find our 'Guide to benefits'.

To apply for housing / council tax benefit, you can call or visit your local area housing office or Middlesbrough House. Call Middlesbrough House on 01642 726005 or email housbens@middlesbrough.gov.uk.

For information about visiting us in person, further contact details, our charter to our customers and our Charter Mark award please visit the Council tax and finance homepage page by following the link on the left of the screen.

** Important **

From 7 April 2008 the way in which Housing Benefit is paid has changed. A new scheme called Local Housing Allowance will now be payable for the majority of people who live in accommodation rented from a private landlord. For more information, please use the navigation box to the left.