Benefits

Benefits Appeals
Guidance on appealing against benefit decisions, including information on which forms to fill in, what happens at an appeal and how your appeal is dealt with.

Council Tax
Council Tax is set by local councils to help pay for services as refuse collection, education and social services. Each house, bungalow, flat, maisonette, mobile home or houseboat pays the tax, and whether it is owned or rented. In County Durham your local district council is responsible for collecting payments.

Educational Awards and Benefits
The Student Support team assesses whether students, who live in County Durham, are eligible for financial support. Information is available for pupils of compulsory school age and for further education students, covering funds for sixth form, student awards and student loans.

Financial Assessment (Social Care)
A financial assessment is the way that we work out how much you can afford to pay for services. Find out how our specialist team guide you through the assessment process so that the correct information about your income and savings can be provided and correct charges made.

Free School Meals
Children are entitled to free school meals if their families receive certain benefits. FInd out how to apply and which forms you need to fill in.

Housing Benefit
Find out how district councils can help you with housing benefit queries; we've provided links to the seven authorities which can assist you, depending on where you live.

Special Educational Needs - Disabled Students Allowance
The Disabled Students Allowances are available to full-time, part-time distance learning and postgraduate students. Get information on what funding is available, how to apply, what information is required and what process you need to follow.

Travel to School
Learn about the 'Safer Route to School' project, which aims to help more children and parents to walk, cycle or use public transport on their journey to and from school, by improving the travelling conditions and roads around the school site.

Welfare Rights
Information and advice on benefits, and details of the services we can offer.