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Housing Benefit

From 14 November 2018, most working age customers will need to claim Universal Credit for help with their rent. View information on the eligibility for Housing Benefit to see if you eligible.

Visit the GOV.UK website for more information about Universal Credit and how to claim it.

Universal Credit will not cover Council Tax, so if you need help to pay Council Tax. View information on to claim Council Tax Reduction.

You can claim Housing Benefit if you pay rent to live in your home and you have reached State Pension age (visit the GOV.UK website to check your State Pension age). From 15 May 2019, both members of a couple must have reached State Pension age. If you are working age and fall into one of the working age exceptions below, you can claim Housing Benefit. If you don’t, you will need to claim Universal Credit for help with your housing costs.

Housing Benefit entitlement is based on your household circumstances, income and savings/capital.

If you also want help with your Council Tax, you only need to make one claim. We will assess your Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support award at the same time.

If you have savings or capital of £16,000 or more, you will not be entitled to any Housing Benefit, unless you are receiving Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.

If you have a partner, we will also include their income and savings when we work out any benefit entitlement.

Working age exceptions who can claim Housing Benefit

If you have not yet reached State Pension age, you can make a claim for Housing Benefit if:

  • you live in specified or supported exempt accommodation (where you have been placed in the accommodation due to an identifiable need for care, support or supervision and your landlord is a housing association, registered charity or voluntary organisation)
  • you live in temporary accommodation provided by Telford & Wrekin Council
  • you are making your claim before 27 January 2021 and you are entitled to a severe disability premium (or have been in the last month) within your claim to Income Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance. This only applies to claims made up to 27 January 2021. For help with housing costs on or after 27 January 2021, claims will need to be made to Universal Credit.

Last updated: 01/06/2022 16:08

  1. Introduction
  2. Eligibility
  3. How do I apply?
  4. Contact