Housing and council tax benefit
More information
About housing benefit
Housing benefit is a benefit for people on a low income to help them pay their rent. You may be able to get housing benefit if you are in receipt of benefits, work part-time or work full-time on a low income.
To get housing benefit you must pay rent to the council, a registered social landlord or a private landlord. You can also claim housing benefit if you rent a room in a hostel, or are a boarder. You can claim it if you share a flat or a house and can get housing benefit as a joint tenant or a sub-tenant.
You can not usually get housing benefit if you:
- have savings of over £16,000
- live in the home of a close relative
- are a full-time student (unless you're disabled or have children)
- are an asylum seeker or are sponsored to be in the UK
Changes in Circumstances
If your situation changes after your benefit has been assessed then this may alter the amount of benefit you should be paid. You must tell us about changes as soon as they happen.
Any delay in telling us could seriously affect your benefit.
For more information, please view our changes in circumstances leaflet.