Charity highlights high numbers of people in employment receiving housing benefit

National poverty charity Turn2us is drawing attention to the high numbers of people in work who need help to pay their rent and has voiced concern that one in five people entitled to Housing Benefit are not claiming. It points to figures from the Department for Work and Pensions that show that there were 1,039,420 Housing Benefit claimants who were in employment in November 2016, the most recently available figures.

The charity says that this is an indication of how financially vulnerable many people in work are and demonstrates why it is important for those in work who are struggling financially to find out what support they can apply for.

Turn2us also says that it is important that those in work who are struggling to make ends meet are aware that they could be entitled to Housing Benefit or housing support through Universal Credit. The charity provides a free Benefit Calculator on its website, turn2us.org.uk, where people can find out what they may be entitled to apply for.

Support with housing costs can pay for part or all of the rent. How much people get depends on their income and circumstances, making it all the more important for people to check what they could receive.

Urging those who are in work and struggling to pay their rent to check if they are eligible for support, Simon Hopkins, Chief Executive of Turn2us, said:

“As the cost of renting increases, it is getting harder and harder for people to keep a roof over their heads. It is therefore crucial that anyone struggling with their rent checks to see if they are eligible for support, as nobody should have to live with the fear of homelessness.”