There are lots of ways to claim housing benefit and council tax benefit, but you must make a claim before we can pay you any benefit. To make a claim with Central Bedfordshire Council, you need to fill in an application form. You can:

• Download a form below, to print and send to us
• Contact us to get a form posted to you
• Visit any of our customer service centres to collect a form, or get help filling in your form

Benefit claim form (PDF 529KB)

You can also claim housing benefit and council tax benefit at the same time as any of the following benefits:

• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
• Incapacity Benefit
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

All of the above benefits are paid by central Government departments. If you want to claim Pension Credit, please call the Pension Service on 0800 99 1234. To claim any of the other benefits above, call the Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688.

You can also claim Jobseeker's Allowance online.

However you decide to claim, please do not delay. Your benefit will usually only be paid from after we receive your claim. If you want to claim for an earlier period, please read the 'Backdating your claim' section below to find out more.

To apply for free school meals, please call us on 0300 300 8306. Please have the following information ready:

• National Insurance numbers and dates of birth for you and your partner
• Dates of birth for your children
• If you receive support from the National Asylum Support Service, your NASS number

If your child attends a school outside of Central Bedfordshire, you need to apply to the local authority that maintains the school. Similarly, if your child attends a school in Central Bedfordshire, you need to apply to Central Bedfordshire Council even if you live elsewhere.

You can find out more about who qualifies for free school meals on our Who can get benefits? page, or download our frequently asked questions (FAQ) below.

Free school meals FAQ (PDF 125KB)

Sometimes we need to ask you to fill in additional forms, so that we can decide how much benefit you are entitled to. You can download copies of these forms below, to print and return to us.

Housing benefit and council tax benefit claim form (PDF 529KB)

Complete this form to claim housing benefit, council tax benefit or second adult rebate.

Appointee form (PDF 55KB)

Complete this form to become an appointee for a benefit claimant. An appointee takes responsibility for the benefit claim for a person who cannot deal with their claim themselves.

Benefit backdating request form (PDF 53KB)

Complete this form to ask us to pay your benefit from an earlier date. Find out more about backdating on our backdating page.

BACS payment details form (PDF 43KB)

Complete this form if you are a private tenant and would like your housing benefit to be paid by BACS bank transfer, or if you want to change the account your benefit is paid into.

Benefit change of circumstances form (PDF 78KB)

Complete this form to report a change in your circumstances which could affect your benefit. Find out more about changes of circumstances on our change of circumstances page.

Proof of childcare payments form (PDF 56KB)

Complete this form to prove how much you pay for childcare. You and your childcare provider both need to sign it. Your childcare costs can often be offset against your income if you are working.

Proof of earnings form (PDF 54KB)

Ask your employer to complete this form to prove how much you are paid. We will normally ask you to have this form completed if you have recently started work or your pay has changed, or if you do not get payslips.

Proof of self-employed income form (PDF 84KB)

Complete this form to declare your income from self-employment. We will normally ask you to complete this form if you have recently started your self-employment or if you cannot provide your accounts.