Housing benefit
You may get Housing Benefit if you pay rent and your savings and investments are below a certain level. You could qualify if you are out of work, or in work and earning a wage. Check our online benefits calculator
How do I claim Housing Benefit?
If you’re looking for work
You can claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (including Second Adult Rebate) with your claim for the following benefits:
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Jobseeker's Allowance
Contact Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688. They will send details of your claims for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit to your local council. Lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. If you find it hard to speak or hear clearly, use the textphone number, 0800 023 4888.
If you’re aged 60 or over
You can claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (including Second Adult Rebate) with your claim for Pension Credit.
Call the Pensions, Disability and Carers Service on 0800 99 1234 or textphone 0800 169 0133. Lines are open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.
An adviser will help you to apply for these benefits and let you know what happens next. The Pensions, Disability and Carers Service will send details of your claims for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit to your local council.
If you're not claiming other benefits
If you’re not claiming Pension Credit, Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance or Jobseeker's Allowance you can get a form for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (including Second Adult Rebate) from your local council or you can download a claim form here.
- Download Housing Benefit claim form
- Download the interactive Housing Benefit claim form
- Help with PDF files
How will my benefit be paid?
Your Housing Benefit will be paid to you by cheque or directly into your bank or building society account.
What if my circumstances change?
You must tell your local council if:
- any of your children leave school or leave home
- anyone moves into or out of your home
- your income, or the income of anyone living with you, changes
- your capital or savings change
- your rent changes
- you move
- you or your partner or civil partner are going to be away from home for more than a month
This is not a full list. Follow the links below to your local authority website to find out more. You have a responsibility to report changes in circumstances. Failure to do so could result in a fraud prosecution or losing your benefit.
Find out about changes in circumstances which affect Housing Benefit
Benefits calculator
It is estimated that over £8billion of benefit payments and tax credits go unclaimed every year, simply because people don’t realise they are entitled to them. In order to help you find out if you are receiving what you are entitled check our online benefits calculator and see whether you qualify for any additional benefits.
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Metropolitan Housing Trust is a part of Metropolitan Housing Partnership, a unique network of locally focused member organisations working together to provide housing, regeneration, community, care and support services.
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