Housing Benefit

You could get Housing Benefit if all the following apply:  

• you have a low income or claim other benefits 
• you either have less than £16,000 in savings or you’re claiming the Guarantee Pension Credit 
• you’re at least 16 (or 18 if you’ve been in care). 

You also need to live mainly in the UK, known as being habitually resident. Citizens Advice has advice on checking if you can pass the habitual residence test. 

There are other circumstances that can affect whether or not you can claim Housing Benefit. It’s unlikely you’ll qualify if you’re a student, if you pay rent to a close relative you live with, or if you pay rent to a care home or to your employer as part of your job, for example. Contact the Carers UK Helpline to find out more. 

Housing Benefit can cover all or part of your rent. There’s no set amount of Housing Benefit. 

How much you get depends on: 

• where you live 
• who you live with 
• your income and savings 
• whether you’re a council, housing association or private tenant. 

If you rent from your council or a housing association, the amount of Housing Benefit you could get depends on: 

• your eligible rent. This is your actual rent plus any service charges you have to pay, such as for communal areas or lift maintenance. 
• if you have any spare bedrooms. Your Housing Benefit will be reduced if you do. Read our page on the bedroom tax to find out more. 
• your household income over £6,000 (or over £10,000 if you’re over State Pension age). This includes benefits, pensions and savings.  
• your circumstances, such as the age of people in your home and whether anyone is disabled. 

Your rent could be covered in full if you get any of the following benefits: 

• income-related Employment and Support Allowance 
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance 
• Income Support 
• Guarantee Pension Credit.
  
  

Housing Benefit won’t usually cover your full rent if you rent privately. Your eligible rent is either your Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate or your actual rent, whichever is lower. The LHA is based on where you live and how many people you live with. 

How much you could get depends on: 

• your eligible rent 
• your household income over £6,000 (or over £10,000 if you’re over State Pension age).This includes benefits, pensions and savings  
• your circumstances, such as the age of people in your home and whether anyone is disabled.

The benefit cap is a limit on the total amount of benefit you can get. It could mean your Housing Benefit is reduced to keep your total benefits under the cap. 

The benefit cap applies to most people under State Pension age. Not everyone is affected though - for example, if you or someone you live with receives Carer’s Allowance or a disability benefit, you won’t be affected. Read our page on the benefit cap to find out more. 

In England, Wales or Scotland, contact your local council for a claim form.  

In Northern Ireland, you can:  

• call the Housing Executive on 03448 920 902 for a form 
• pick up a form from your local Housing Executive office
• download a form 
• make a claim online 

If your circumstances change, you must tell your local council or Housing Executive straightaway. 

You can also claim Housing Benefit as part of your application for other benefits. Tell the Jobcentre or Pension Service that you’d like to apply for Housing Benefit at the same time. You can do this when you apply for: 

• income-related Employment and Support Allowance 
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance 
• Income Support 
• Guarantee Pension Credit. 

If you’re of working age, you can backdate your claim for Housing Benefit for up to a month if you can show a good reason for the delay, for example because you were seriously ill. 

If you’re of State Pension age, you can backdate your claim for up to three months without having to give a reason. 

If you’re claiming Housing Benefit but still can’t pay your rent, you can apply to your local council for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP). Your council will decide whether to award you a DHP, how much and for how long based on your circumstances. 

You don’t have to repay a DHP. They can also be used to pay deposits or rent in advance if you have to move. 

To apply for a DHP in England, Wales or Scotland, contact your local council. In Northern Ireland, contact your local Housing Executive office. 

Make sure you’re claiming all the benefits you’re eligible for too. Contact the Carers UK Helpline for a benefits check. 

You can challenge a decision made about your Housing Benefit claim if you think it’s wrong, for example if you’re turned down. This is known as appealing.  

You have one month from the date on the decision letter to appeal. Write to your council (in England, Wales or Scotland) or Housing Executive (in Northern Ireland). You’ll need to explain why you think their decision is wrong and send any relevant evidence. If you can, hand your letter in and get a receipt showing the date you delivered it. If you post it, get a certificate of posting, use recorded delivery or make a note of the date you sent it. Keep a copy of everything you sent. 

If you’re not happy with the council or Housing Executive’s new decision, you can explain your reasons to an independent tribunal. 

If you need help or advice about appealing the decision, contact us on advice@carersuk.org.