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

You can get Housing Benefit if:

• You are at least state pension age, or if you are in a couple, both of you are at least state pension age, or
• You are homeless and have been placed in temporary accommodation by the council or you are in supported or sheltered accommodation. 

You must also: 

• Be responsible for paying the rent on the home where you normally live, and
• Have a low enough income, and
• Your capital and savings are under £16,000 (unless you get Guarantee Pension Credit, in which case there is no capital limit)
• Not be getting Universal Credit 

Housing Benefit for those below state pension age 

If you haven't reached state pension age yet and need support with housing costs, you should make a claim for Universal Credit. 

Housing Benefit and mixed age couples 

If one partner has reached state pension age and the other hasn't, you should speak to a welfare benefits adviser to see what options are available. You can also use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator to check what you can get. 

Type of accommodation that Housing Benefit supports 

It doesn't 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 you are or aren't 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 out who counts as a close relative