Housing Benefit

If you are in the UK and need assistance with housing costs, you could be eligible for housing benefit. Find out how you can apply for this benefit and manage a claim by reading the helpful information on this page.

About Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit is a payment for those living in the UK who are on low incomes and struggling to pay their rent. The amount of Housing Benefit an individual receives will depend on their circumstances and income level. Claimants can apply for Housing Benefit whether they are in employment or not working. This benefit is meant for use solely to pay for rent. It is not for paying bills for heating, water, energy, or food. Housing Benefit is the second largest social security benefit in the annual budget for the Department for Work and Pensions. The local authority, such as the Council, is responsible for providing Housing Benefit to tenants.

Housing Benefit Contact Numbers

Call these Housing Benefit numbers for information and advice on claims.

Housing Benefit Helpline

Connect to the Housing Benefit helpline by calling the number to the left if you want to apply. An adviser can tell you everything you need to know about Housing Benefit, including where to go and what to do to make a successful claim. They can tell you all the information you will need to make a claim so that you can gather it all together. You will need to be completely honest about all of your circumstances or you must pay any extra money back. You could be prosecuted or receive a fine otherwise. The details you must provide are concerning the property and your rent, tenancy, income, and savings, as well as the people living with you.

Housing Benefit Eligibility

If you want to check that you are eligible to apply for Housing Benefit, call the number to the left. Sometimes this depends on factors like the area you live in, and if you rent privately. Your Housing Benefit entitlement may come under the Local Housing Allowance. In some cases, you may be transferred to your local council. If you are claiming other benefits at the same time, you might be able to make an initial claim on the phone before visiting a Jobcentre Plus. The amount of Housing Benefit you can claim will depend on the cost of rent, the number of bedrooms, the number of people living there and their ages, and the household income.

Housing Benefit With Other Benefits

When you are claiming multiple benefits through Jobcentre Plus, you can call the number to the left to discuss your Housing Benefit claim. In some areas of the country, Universal Credit is replacing Housing Benefit. Universal Credit claimants do not have to apply separately, as there is a Housing element included. You can claim Housing Benefit alongside Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, or Pension Credit. Ask if you want to backdate your claim, or you can claim up to 13 weeks in advance of moving. You could receive a penalty charge for an overpayment due to incorrect information.

Housing Benefit Payments

If your claim is approved, then your local council will pay your Housing Benefit. For council tenants, this money goes into your rent account so you do not receive it directly. Private tenants will receive payments into their own bank or building society accounts. It is their responsibility to pay their rent to the landlord. Your local authority might decide to pay the money directly to your landlord if you are in arrears of more than 8 weeks. The landlord can request this if you are unlikely to pay your rent. The frequency of Housing Benefit payments depends on how often your rent is due. Call the number to the left if there is a payment issue.

Housing Benefit Change in Circumstances

When you are claiming Housing Benefit on its own and your circumstances change, you need to inform your local council. Examples of changes which could affect your Housing Benefit entitlement would be a change of address, an increase or decrease in rent, change in relationship status or the number of people living with you. You would also need to report children leaving home or if you were going away for more than a month. If you claim several benefits including Housing Benefit, you should call the number to the left to report any changes like these. They can affect all of your other benefit claims as well as Housing Benefit.

Housing Benefit Additional Support

If you are entitled to Housing Benefit, there are other additional benefits you might also be able to claim to help you with living costs. Your council could pay a Discretionary Housing Payment if the benefit does not cover all of your rent. If your circumstances change so that you no longer have an entitlement to Housing Benefit, you could receive an Extended Payment. This means that you can get 4 extra weeks of payments before your benefit stops. You might also be able to get certain grants to help pay for heating and energy. Dial the number to the left if you need more help with living costs. Your Jobcentre Plus or council can advise you.

Other Ways to Contact Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit is usually the responsibility of your local council. You can find their website with further details by entering your postcode here. There may be several contact methods available on their website. This usually includes online forms, phone numbers, office and postal addresses, or sometimes even social media pages. If you do have trouble contacting your local council, or you are not sure which authority the property comes under, contact the Department for Work and Pensions. You can contact your Jobcentre Plus about Housing Benefit if you are applying for or already in receipt of certain income-related benefits.