Housing benefit, frequently asked questions

From 1 February 2019, all working age claimants making a new claim, have to apply for Universal Credit to help with rental costs, instead of Housing Benefit.

You can still make a new claim for Housing Benefit if you fall into one of the following categories:

• You live in supported or temporary accommodation

• From 16 January 2019, if your existing legacy benefit (Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance Income Based, Employment and Support Allowance Income Related or Housing Benefit) includes a Severe Disability Premium

• You and your partner have reached State Pension age

• From 15 May 2019, mixed age couples (where one party of the couple is over State Pension Age and the other under that age) will no longer be able to choose whether they claim Universal Credit, Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit. They will need to claim Universal Credit.
  
  Both parties of a couple will have to reach the State Pension Age before they can be entitled to Pension Credit and/or pension age Housing Benefit.
  
  Protections are in force, which mean that where a mixed age couple are entitled to the following on the 14 May 2019, they will continue to be entitled unless a change of circumstance occurs, and one or both of the following cease:

  • Pension age Housing Benefit

  • Pension Credit, or

  • both

If you fall into one of the above categories, you can find out whether you qualify for housing benefits using the benefits calculator. If you think you might qualify, you can complete your claim using the online claim form.

Find out more information on housing benefit on the GOV.UK website.

Find out about Local Housing Allowance.

Please make sure you tell the Benefit department in writing of any change in circumstance that may affect your benefits.

Housing benefits - frequently asked questions

The following information relates to any new customers who fall into one of the categories detailed above.