Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit is a means tested benefit claimed from and paid by local councils to people living in rented accommodation.

Recipients can be in or out of work. The value of the payment is determined by your circumstances and local average rents. The size of property you are allowed to rent is governed by certain rules pertaining to your situation.

Your local council will take into consideration:

• The income you and your partner receive, including earnings, some benefits and tax credits, and occupational pensions.
• Your savings (and your partner's savings)
• Your circumstances, such as your age, the size of the family and their ages, whether you or any of your family are disabled, and whether anyone who lives with You could contribute towards the rent.

You can't usually get housing benefit if:

• You have savings of over £16,000, unless you are getting the 'guarantee credit' element of Pension Credit.
• You live in the home of a close relative
• You're a full-time student (unless you're disabled or have children)
• You're an asylum seeker or are sponsored to be in the UK

If you're single and under 25 you can only get housing benefit for bed-sit accommodation or one room in shared accommodation.

You can check your eligibility for housing benefit online.

You are only allowed to claim a certain allowance. If you're living in accommodation with rental exceeding this amount, not all the rent will be eligible for housing benefit payment and/or you may find your payments stopped or reduced. If your rent in below the allowance you can keep up to £15 per week of the excess.

Tenants living in a local authority property or housing association normally find all their rent will be eligible for housing benefit, with the exception of payments to cover utilities service charges. Those on most low-income related means tested benefits generally qualify to have all their rent covered by housing benefit; however a separate claim is required.

Those not on a means tested benefit can also claim if their income is low enough and they don't have savings (or capital) of in excess of £16,000. Some non-dependents sharing a home with the claimant affect eligibility to claim. This is because their income helps with household finances and in turn the claimant's ability to afford rent.

Claims can be back dated by up to 6 months, so long as the claimant can show go reason for claiming late. Claimants whose eligibly ends to other benefit(s) which allows them to receive housing benefit due to for example a new job, may continue to claim housing benefit for up to 4 weeks. Those whose housing benefits award does not cover the full amount to cover their rent may apply for a discretionary payment to help make up the shortfall.