Housing Benefit: Eligibility, Rates, and Your Rights
Housing Benefit helps with rent costs for people on a low income. Most new claimants now receive the housing costs element of Universal Credit instead, but Housing Benefit still exists and is still paid to hundreds of thousands of people. This guide explains who can still claim, how it's calculated, and what to do if you've been underpaid or your benefit is cut.
- ✓Closed to most new claimants, they get UC housing costs instead
- ✓Still open if you're State Pension age or in supported/temporary accommodation
- ✓Private renters capped at the Local Housing Allowance for their area
- ✓Bedroom tax: 14% cut for one spare room, 25% for two or more
- ✓Challenge a decision within 1 month, then appeal to the First-tier Tribunal
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A Citizens Advice appointment can take weeks. Our free assistant is available 24/7 with no appointment, giving you clear, step-by-step answers about your exact situation, what to do next, and the deadlines that matter.
Need to take action? It can draft a ready-to-send formal letter for you (optional, from £4.99).
England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.
Who can still claim Housing Benefit?
Housing Benefit is no longer available to most new claimants, they apply for the housing costs element of Universal Credit instead. However, you can still make a new claim for Housing Benefit if:
- ✓You (or your partner) are State Pension age or over
- ✓You live in temporary accommodation
- ✓You live in supported, sheltered, or exempt accommodation
- ✓You already receive Housing Benefit and are not being migrated to UC yet
The Claim Companion walks you through it step by step, works out the points you should score, and prepares your document ready to send.
How much Housing Benefit can I get?
The amount you get depends on several factors:
- ✓Whether you rent privately (Local Housing Allowance applies) or from a council/housing association
- ✓How many bedrooms you need (the bedroom standard)
- ✓Your income and capital
- ✓Whether the benefit cap applies to you
- ✓Whether you have non-dependants living with you (a deduction may apply)
For private renters, Housing Benefit is limited to the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate for your area and household size. LHA rates are set by the Valuation Office Agency and are based on the 30th percentile of local rents.
For social housing tenants, Housing Benefit covers your eligible rent minus any reductions (such as the bedroom tax, or non-dependant deductions).
The Bedroom Tax (Spare Room Subsidy)
If you rent from a council or housing association and have more bedrooms than the DWP considers you need, your Housing Benefit is reduced:
- ✓14% reduction for one extra bedroom
- ✓25% reduction for two or more extra bedrooms
- ✓The bedroom standard allows one bedroom per adult couple, one per single adult 16+, children under 10 can share, children 10 to 15 can share if same sex
- ✓Exemptions include: disabled overnight carers, foster carers, members of the armed forces
The Benefit Cap
The benefit cap limits the total amount of benefits a household can receive. If your total benefits exceed the cap, Housing Benefit is usually reduced first.
| Household type | Cap (Greater London) | Cap (outside London) |
|---|---|---|
| Couple or lone parent | £442.31/week | £384.62/week |
| Single person | £296.35/week | £257.69/week |
The benefit cap does not apply if you or your partner receive PIP, ESA (support group), DLA, Attendance Allowance, Armed Forces Compensation, or Working Tax Credit.
Challenging a Housing Benefit decision
If your Housing Benefit is refused, reduced, or you believe you're being underpaid, you can challenge the decision. Housing Benefit is administered by your local council, not DWP.
Get instant help right now
A Citizens Advice appointment can take weeks. Our free assistant is available 24/7 with no appointment, giving you clear, step-by-step answers about your exact situation, what to do next, and the deadlines that matter.
Need to take action? It can draft a ready-to-send formal letter for you (optional, from £4.99).
England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.
Frequently asked questions
Who can still claim Housing Benefit?
Housing Benefit is closed to most new claimants, new renters must claim the housing element of Universal Credit instead. You can still claim Housing Benefit if you are of State Pension age, already receiving it before moving to UC, or live in specified or temporary accommodation.
What is the Local Housing Allowance?
The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) caps the Housing Benefit you can receive if you rent privately. The cap is based on the 30th percentile of local rents in your Broad Rental Market Area. If your rent is higher than the LHA, you must pay the difference yourself.
What is the bedroom tax?
The bedroom tax (officially the under-occupancy charge) reduces Housing Benefit by 14% if you have one spare bedroom, or 25% if you have two or more spare bedrooms. It applies to social housing tenants of working age. There are exemptions for disabled people who need an overnight carer and for foster carers.
How do I challenge a Housing Benefit decision?
You can request a written explanation of the decision, then ask for a reconsideration within 1 month. If the council upholds the decision, you can appeal to the independent First-tier Tribunal within 1 month of the reconsideration outcome.
What is the benefit cap and does it affect Housing Benefit?
Yes. The benefit cap limits the total amount of benefits a household can receive to £442.31 per week in London (£384.62 outside London) for families. If your household benefits exceed the cap, Housing Benefit is usually reduced to make up the difference.
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