(Updated 03/04/2023)
Can I claim housing benefit?
You might be able to get Housing Benefit to help pay your rent if you’re on a low income or you claim benefits. Housing Benefit is paid by your local council.
If you own your home, check if you can get help to pay your mortgage interest instead.
Most people can’t make a new claim for Housing Benefit.
You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if one of the following applies:
- you, and your partner if you've got one, have reached State Pension age – check your state pension age on GOV.UK
- you or your partner have been getting Pension Credit since before 15 May 2019
- you live in temporary accommodation
- your landlord’s a county council, charity or housing association and they give you care or support – for example if you live in sheltered housing
If you can’t make a new claim for Housing Benefit, you might be able to apply for Universal Credit instead – check if you can claim Universal Credit.
How do I claim housing benefit?
To claim Housing Benefit you usually have to:
- have a low income or be claiming other benefits
- be at least 16 years old – if you’ve been in care you’ll need to be at least 18
- either have less than £16,000 in savings or be getting the guarantee part of Pension Credit
You also need to live mainly in the UK. If you’ve lived abroad recently or are thinking of moving out of the UK, check if you’re habitually resident.
If you live with your partner, only one of you needs to claim Housing Benefit – it doesn’t usually matter who makes the claim.
You’ll need to put your and your partner’s details on the form. Your local council will look at both your incomes to decide how much Housing Benefit you’ll get.
There are other circumstances that might affect whether or not you can get Housing Benefit.
