Contents

What housing benefit is
Who can get housing benefit
Who cannot claim housing benefit
Apply for housing benefit
How we make a decision about your claim
How we pay your housing benefit
Claim backdated benefit
Other help you may be entitled to

What housing benefit is

Housing benefit helps you pay part or all of your rent if you're on a low income.

With some exceptions, housing benefit has been replaced by a new benefit called Universal Credit.

For many people, Universal Credit covers housing costs, so you don't have to make a separate housing benefit claim. 

Working age people can apply for housing benefit, in very limited circumstances. Before you apply, make sure that you can claim housing benefit, and you don't need to claim Universal Credit instead.