Housing Benefit is a benefit to help some people pay their rent.
How much you get depends on your household income, circumstances and housing arrangements.
However, most people of working age now claim for help with their housing costs as part of a claim for Universal Credit. For more details, see our Universal Credit page.
Some people may be entitled to Housing Benefit instead. This includes people who:
- are of state pension age
- live in supported, sheltered or temporary housing
Visit the government’s Housing Benefit page for more informant on eligibility, supporting documents and payments.
If you are on a low income you may be able to claim Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support to help pay your rent and Council Tax bill.
Apply for Housing Benefit
You should apply straightaway if you think you are eligible for Housing Benefit as it is not always possible to backdate payments.
You should also let us know immediately if your circumstances change as any overpayment must be paid back to the Council.
Please use our benefits calculator to see which benefits you may be entitled to before applying for Housing Benefit. The online calculator covers all benefits, including Universal Credit.
Housing Benefit is a means-tested benefit. This means that your income and savings are taken into consideration when applying.
Apply for Housing Benefit
Housing Benefit payments
Housing Benefit is normally awarded from the Monday following the date you first contact us. It may be possible in certain circumstances to award benefit from an earlier date. This is called ‘backdating’. You can apply for backdated benefit either by:
Within your request for backdated benefit, you must provide details of why you did not apply earlier.