Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit is a national welfare benefit administered by Local Authorities. The purpose of Housing Benefit is to help people receiving state benefits or on low incomes pay their rent.

The amount of benefit awarded will depend on your household and financial circumstances.

Housing Benefit is not awarded to you automatically, you must claim it. If you think that you may qualify, you should contact the Council and ask for an application form. Please note that benefit can only be awarded from the Monday following the date that a claim is received by the Council.

To be entitled to claim Housing Benefit you must be liable to pay rent and you must occupy the home on which benefit is to be paid.

You can not claim Housing Benefit if you live with, and have to pay rent to, a close relative or relative in-law such as a parent, step-parent, son, daughter, stepson, step-daughter or their partners. Also owner-occupiers, long lease holders (over 21 years), most full-time students and many residents in private & voluntary registered residential care and nursing homes are also, amongst others, are not eligible for Housing Benefit.

If you are awarded Housing Benefit, in most cases you can choose where to have the money paid. We can arrange to pay your money:

• By cheque, or
• Direct to your landlord (From April 2008 if you are in receipt of LHA you will not have this option unless you are considered vulnerable).  To view our safeguard policy on this click here.  To download an application to have payments direct to your landlord click here.
• Direct into your bank account.  Click here for a form if you would like to do this.

If you are in receipt of Housing Benefit you must tell the Council immediately of any change in your circumstances which may affect your entitlement.

If you need to report a change you can print a form yourself by clicking here or by contacting us by telephone.