Housing Benefit (England, Scotland and Wales) - Can I get Housing Benefit?

Housing Benefit and Universal Credit

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. You will only be able to make a new claim for Housing Benefit in the situations listed below. Otherwise you would have to claim Universal Credit to get help with your housing costs. If you've received a notice letter telling you to claim Universal Credit, read our guide Universal Credit Migration Notice to find out about your next steps.

You can still make a new claim for Housing Benefit in one of the following situations:

• You are 66 or over, or
• You live with a partner and both you and your partner are 66 or over (if one partner is 66 or over and the other isn't, use the Benefits Calculator to check what you can get), or
• You were homeless and have been placed in temporary accommodation by the council, or
• You are living in sheltered or supported accommodation.

If you or your partner are receiving a legacy benefit such as Child Tax Credit or Housing Benefit, you will lose these if you make a claim for Universal Credit. 

Everyone under 66 on housing benefit will be moved over to Universal Credit in the next couple of years. You don't need to do anything right now unless:

•  Your situation changes in a way that ends one of your existing benefits, or
•  you receive a letter from the DWP telling you your existing benefits are stopping and you have to move over to Universal Credit.

Can I get Housing Benefit?

You can still get Housing Benefit in one of the following situations:

• You are on Housing Benefit at present (unless you claim Universal Credit) or
• You are 66 or over, or
• You live with a partner and both you and your partner are 66 or over (if one partner is 66 or over and the other isn't, use the Benefits Calculator to check what you can get), or
• You were homeless and have been placed in temporary accommodation by the council or you are in supported accommodation. 

In addition:

• You are responsible for paying the rent on the home where you normally live, and
• Your income is low enough, and
• Your capital and savings are under £16,000 (unless you get Guarantee Pension Credit, in which case there is no capital limit).

It does not matter if your landlord is a private landlord or a social landlord, for example, a council or housing association. If you live with a partner, only one of you can claim Housing Benefit for you both. If you qualify, Housing Benefit can be paid whether or not you are working.

Housing Benefit does not help with a mortgage. See our Support for Mortgage Interest Loan guide if you are a homeowner.

You do not qualify for Housing Benefit if you:

• Live in the home of a close relative. Find who counts as a close relative.

• Are a full-time student (unless you have a disability or children).

What happens to my Housing Benefit if I change my address?

If you are on Housing Benefit and change address, you can stay on Housing Benefit if you stay within the same local authority area, if this is your only change of circumstance.

If you move to an area which has a different council, you won't be able to claim Housing Benefit and would have to claim Universal Credit instead, unless you are moving into temporary accommodation provided by the council.