Your income or benefits
You can get Housing Benefit if you claim some other benefits such as Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, incapacity benefit, or Guaranteed Pension Credit.
You can also get housing benefit if you are working, or you are on a low income such as a private pension.
Your landlord
You can claim Housing Benefit if you pay rent to:
- The Council
- A private sector landlord
- A housing association
- A housing co-op
Sub-tenants and boarders
If you are a boarder or sub-tenant or you live in a hostel or House in Multiple Occupation, you can claim Housing Benefit. However you can't claim Council Tax Benefit as you are not liable to pay Council Tax.
Home-owners
If you own your own home, you can't claim housing benefit as that is only for help with your rent.
However, you can claim Council Tax Benefit for help with your Council Tax.
» More about Council Tax Benefit
Savings and capital
You can't get Housing Benefit if you have more than £16,000 in savings or capital.
Any savings between £6,000-£16,000 will be taken into account when we assess your benefit and will reduce the amount of Housing Benefit you get.
Do I earn too much to qualify for benefit?
If you are not sure if you earn too much to qualify, you can use our online benefits calculator to get an estimate of how much Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit you may be entitled to.
» Get an estimate of your entitlement
Who can't claim housing benefit?
Most students and some people from abroad are not eligible to claim Housing Benefit, but please get advice first, because each case is different.
How do I claim?
» There are several ways to apply for Housing Benefit
Contact us
Please contact the Benefit Service if you have any queries.
