Housing benefit

Housing benefit is a payment which helps people to pay their rent. It is paid directly into the rent account. It does not cover water charges, heating charges and certain service charges.

How much housing benefit you get depends on your income, the size of your family, your savings and how much rent you pay. You do not have to be out of work or receiving another benefit to claim.

If you receive income support, you should qualify to have the whole of your rent paid but you must complete a claim form before you can get benefit.

If you think you should get housing benefit, you should make your claim when you sign the tenancy. Claims cannot be backdated unless there is a good reason for a late claim.

If you get housing benefit and recieve a yellow housing benefit postal review form from benefit services, you MUST complete it and return this immediately.

If you do not respond your claim may be cancelled. If it is later reinstated your benefits may not be backdated which could result in rent arrears.

If you recieve this yellow form and you have difficulty completeing it, you can get assistance from our income management officers or the One Stop Service.