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Housing Benefit

If you’re on a low income, out of work or claiming benefits, you could get Housing Benefit to help pay your rent. It’s being replaced by Universal Credit.

You can apply for Housing Benefit if you’re unemployed or working, but you can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if one of the following is true:

  • You’re getting the severe disability premium, or are entitled to it
  • You got or were entitled to the severe disability premium within the last month and are still eligible for it
  • You have reached State Pension age
  • You live in temporary accommodation
  • You live in sheltered or supported housing with special facilities such as alarms or wardens

If not, you’ll need to claim Universal Credit (UC) instead, find out more about UC here.

You can use a benefits calculator to check if you can get Housing Benefit before you apply.

What you’ll get

How much you get depends on:

  • Your eligible rent (this is the amount of rent you pay, including service charges for communal facilities or lifts for example)
  • If you have a spare room (this will reduce your housing benefit by 14% for one spare room and 25% for two) 
  • Your household income including benefits, pensions and savings over £6,000
  • Your circumstances, for example the age of people who live with you or if someone has a disability
  • If you’re affected by the Local Housing Alliance (LHA) Cap
  • If you’re affected by the Benefit Cap – find out more on the benefit cap page

How you’re paid

Housing Benefit is paid by your Local Council directly into your rent account.

If the amount of Housing Benefit you are paid does not cover the full cost of your rent, it is your responsibility to pay us the shortfall.

In some circumstances, you may be able to claim a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP).

How to make a claim

If you’re making a claim only for Housing Benefit you need to apply to your local council:

If you’re claiming Universal Credit, help towards your rent known as Housing Costs, will be included in your payment. You are responsible for paying your rent to us.