Welfare Benefits

Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a lower income or claiming benefits. It has now been placed replaced by Universal Credit, therefore most people will be unable to make a new claim. (please refer to our Universal Credit pages)

You can only make a new claim for Housing Cost if either of the following apply :-

• You have reached State Pension age
• you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

Check if you can claim Housing Benefit 

To claim Housing Benefit you usually have to:

• have a low income or be claiming other benefits
• be at least 16 years old – if you’ve been in care you’ll need to be at least 18
• either have less than £16,000 in savings or be getting the guarantee part of Pension Credit

If you live with your partner, only one of you needs to claim Housing Benefit – it doesn’t usually matter who makes the claim.

You’ll need to put your and your partner’s details on the form. Your local council will look at both your incomes to decide how much Housing Benefit you’ll get.

If you wish to check your entitlement to Housing Benefit, please click on the following link – Benefits Calculator – entitledto – independent | accurate | reliable

If you wish further advice or assistance to make a claim, please contact our Financial Inclusion Team by phone on : 0345 177 2244, or email referrals@aha.org.uk