Skip to content
£ moneyguide Search

Independent information, not financial advice. Partner offers are labelled Ad. How we make money

Eligibility · Housing Benefit

Am I eligible for Housing Benefit?

Where a link is marked * or labelled Ad, it is a partner advertisement: we receive commission at no extra cost to you. Links without a * or Ad label earn us nothing. How we make money.

In short. You can usually only start a new Housing Benefit claim if you have reached State Pension age or you live in supported, sheltered or temporary housing. From 1 July 2026 new working-age claims for ordinary tenancies are closed. Everyone else claims the housing element of Universal Credit.

Housing Benefit is paid by your local council. Confirm live rules on GOV.UK before you apply. This page is information, not an application.

Last reviewed:

·Amount: Whatever the council assesses as eligible rent, often capped by Local Housing Allowance if you rent privately

You likely qualify if…

  • You have reached State Pension age and rent your home (both of you, if you have a partner, unless a pre-15 May 2019 mixed-age claim was already in payment)
  • You live in supported, sheltered or temporary housing that provides care, support or supervision, at any age
  • Your savings are £16,000 or less, unless you get Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit
  • You are not already getting Universal Credit for the same housing costs (except specified or temporary housing, where Housing Benefit can sit beside UC living costs)

You likely don't if…

  • Most working-age people in a general-needs private, council or housing-association tenancy — claim Universal Credit instead
  • You pay a mortgage on the home you live in
  • You live with a close relative as their lodger
  • Your immigration status has no recourse to public funds

How to check and claim

  1. 01Read gov.uk/housing-benefit
  2. 02If you are working age in ordinary housing, start a Universal Credit claim and declare your rent
  3. 03Look up Local Housing Allowance for your postcode on lha-direct.voa.gov.uk if you rent privately

FAQ

Can I claim Housing Benefit and Universal Credit together?
Only if you are in specified, supported, sheltered or temporary housing. Otherwise the rent help is inside Universal Credit.
What if my rent is above Local Housing Allowance?
You pay the difference unless the council awards extra Housing Payment or Discretionary Housing Payment.
I am 30 and in a studio flat. What rate applies?
Private tenants under 35 are usually limited to the shared-accommodation Local Housing Allowance rate unless an exemption applies.

Go deeper

← All eligibility guides