Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit helps with rent for certain groups on a low income. It used to be the main housing benefit for everyone, but most working-age people now get help through the housing element of Universal Credit (more on that when we get to U). It's still very much alive for older people and some others, though.

How much is it?

Housing Benefit doesn't have a fixed weekly rate. It's worked out from your rent and your income:

• The most you can get is up to 100% of your eligible rent (and some service charges).
• If your income is above a set level (your "applicable amount"), your help is reduced by 65p for every £1 extra you have coming in.
• If you get the guarantee part of Pension Credit, you can usually get the maximum Housing Benefit.
• It doesn't cover things like heating, food or water costs included in your rent.

Who can claim?

• You've reached State Pension age (or you and your partner both have), or
• You're in supported or sheltered accommodation, or
• You're in temporary accommodation arranged by your council because you're homeless.
• You rent your home (it doesn't help with mortgages) and you're on a low income.

Good things to know:

• Savings matter. Savings over £16,000 usually mean no Housing Benefit, unless you get Guarantee Pension Credit, in which case there's no limit. For pension-age claimants, savings between £10,000 and £16,000 count as a small amount of assumed weekly income.
• You can claim whether or not you work.
• It's run by your local council, not the DWP, so you claim through them.
• It can be paid to you or straight to your landlord.
• If you're under State Pension age and not in supported housing, you'll usually need Universal Credit instead. Mixed-age couples (one over, one under State Pension age) are usually in this group too, but it can be tricky, so get a benefits check.
• Pension Credit is a great gateway, so if you're pension age and on a low income, please check you're claiming it.
• If there's a gap between your rent and what you get, ask your council about a Discretionary Housing Payment.
• You must tell your council quickly about changes in your income, savings, rent or household, so you don't end up with an overpayment.
• You can't claim if you live in the home of a close relative.

Where to start: contact your local council's housing benefit team. Age UK, Shelter, Citizens Advice and Turn2us all have free benefit calculators and friendly advisers.

This is a general guide, so always double-check with your local council or GOV.UK. Housing Benefit works much the same in Scotland and Wales, but Council Tax help is separate. In Northern Ireland, homeowners on a low income can also claim Housing Benefit to help with rates.

If you've found it tricky to navigate, jump on the forum. Someone will probably have been through the same thing.