Guide to Housing Benefit

What is Housing Benefit?

Housing Benefit is a sum of money to help you pay your rent. It is being replaced by Universal Credit. You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if you, or your partner, have reached State Pension age or if you live in sheltered, supported or temporary housing.

It is paid by local councils and there is no set amount of money. The amount you could get depends on your circumstances.

Who is eligible for Housing Benefit?

Only a small number of people now meet Housing Benefit eligibility rules. You can usually only make a new application for Housing Benefit if:

• You and your partner have reached State Pension age
• You or your partner have been receiving Pension Credit since before 15 May 2019
• You live in supported or temporary council, charity or housing association accommodation. This might be a B&B, a hostel, or supported housing where you get care, support or supervision

You will not normally get Housing Benefit if:

• You have more than £16,000 in savings – unless you get the guarantee part of Pension Credit
• You own your home with a mortgage – try Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
• You live in a close relative's home
• You’re already claiming Universal Credit (unless you’re in temporary or supported housing)
• Your live-in partner is already claiming Housing Benefit
• You’re studying full-time
• You live in the UK as a European Economic Area (EEA) jobseeker
• You’re an asylum seeker or sponsored to be in the UK
• Your immigration control granted leave status stops you claiming public funds
• You’re a Crown Tenant
• You’ve reached State Pension age but your live-in partner has not – unless you had an existing claim as a couple before 15 May 2019

If you are not able to make a new claim for Housing Benefit, Universal Credit can help.

What are the age requirements?

To make a new application for Housing Benefit you need to be at least 16. If you have lived in a care home or accommodation, you need to be 18. To qualify under pension rules, you must have reached State Pension age before 15 May 2019.

Can anyone apply for Housing Benefit?

You need to have a low income to apply for Housing Benefit or be receiving other benefits. You can’t have more than £16,000 in savings or a mortgage on your own home.

Residency and immigration status

If you are not a UK citizen, your immigration status must allow you to claim public funds.

How to apply for Housing Benefit

You will have to apply for Housing Benefit from your local council. You may also be able to apply for it with a Pension Credit claim form. 

The application process

How you apply will depend on your local council. You may be able to apply online, on the phone or with a paper form.

Required documents

You will need the following documents when you apply for Housing Benefit:

• Proof of your ID (a driving licence or UK passport)
• Details about your income and savings
• Something to show you are responsible for paying the rent
• Your landlord or estate agent’s details
• Proof of how much rent you pay and what is included, such as utility bills

Appealing a Housing Benefit decision

If you disagree with a decision about Housing Benefit, you can challenge it. To do this you will need to write to your council within a month. It will then need to give you a list of reasons and look at your case again if you still dispute the decision.

When you contact the council you will need to include:

• The reason why you disagree
• Evidence to show why the decision is incorrect

How is Housing Benefit calculated?

There is no set amount for Housing Benefit. It could cover all or part of your rent. The amount you could claim depends on your circumstances. This includes your age, income and if someone in your home has a disability. You will get reduced Housing Benefit if you have a spare room. It also depends on if you rent privately or from the council.

Local Housing Allowance rates

If you rent privately your Housing Benefit will depend on the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate. LHAs are set each year based on average rents in your area. Housing Benefit will cover either your LHA rate or your actual rent, whichever is lower.

Income and rent considerations

If you rent from the council, the amount of Housing Benefit you will receive will depend on the following:

• Your ‘eligible’ rent (your rent plus any service charges you pay)
• If you have any spare bedrooms
• Your income (including benefits, pensions and savings over £6,000)
• Your circumstances, such as if anyone living in the home has a disability

If you already receive other benefits, including Income Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or the guaranteed part of Pension Credit, you will receive the maximum amount of Housing Benefit.

If you rent privately, the amount you could receive will depend on:

• The lower figure of your ‘eligible’ rent or LHA rate
• Your household income including benefits, pensions and savings (over £6,000)
• Your circumstances (for example, your age or whether you have a disability)

How spare rooms can impact your Housing Benefit

Your local council will look at how many spare rooms you have in your house when calculating your Housing Benefit, as the following table shows.

Rooms occupied by single people may be considered spare. The government expects couples and certain children to share rooms. Two children must share if they are:

• Under 10
• Under 16 and the same sex

There are limited exceptions to this rule.

Universal Credit and Housing Benefit

Universal Credit is replacing Housing Benefit and other benefits. If you are currently receiving Housing Benefit, the DWP will contact you to switch to Universal Credit. In most cases you can’t apply for Housing Benefit anymore. Instead you’ll be asked to apply for Universal Credit.

Transition to Universal Credit

You can continue to receive Housing Benefit until you are contacted by the DWP. It will tell you if you need to move to Universal Credit. This letter is called a ‘migration notice’. You will also move to Universal Credit if:

• You want to receive Universal Credit
• Your Housing Benefit ends because your situation has changed

Common questions about Housing Benefit

How long does it take to receive?

If your Housing Benefit application is successful you should receive a letter within two weeks from your local council. It will tell you how much rent assistance you are entitled to, and how this will be paid.

What if my circumstances change?

You will need to contact your local council if your circumstances change. If you continue receiving Housing Benefit but you are no longer eligible for it, you may have to pay it back.

Can it be backdated?

Housing Benefit can be backdated by a month from the date you make the application for it.

Does it affect other benefits?

If you are receiving Housing Benefit and tax credits, the amount paid may be less. It is a means-tested benefit so the DWP will look at any other benefits you receive when it calculates how much you are entitled to.

If you receive the housing element of Universal Credit instead of Housing Benefit, it will be reduced. This is so you don’t receive more than the Benefit Cap – the total amount of money you can get in benefits.

Housing Benefit: A Summary

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. If you currently receive it, you can continue to do so. This type of financial aid for renters may not cover all of your rent, but there is not a set amount.

You may be better off receiving Housing Benefit but it is worth using a Housing Benefit calculator or speaking to an advisor to find out. Several charities have free advice lines that offer guidance. You may also consider Discretionary Housing Payments.

Where to find help with Housing Benefit