What can I claim?
You do not have to be on Income Support or Job Seeker's Allowance to make a claim for Housing Benefit or Council Tax benefit. You can claim if you, or your partner, are in full time work, are receiving a pension, other state benefits or even have no income at all.
Eligibility
You will not be able to get Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit if:
- you are not a householder (ie you are not liable to pay rent or Council Tax; or you are liable to pay rent and Council Tax to a close relative living with you in your accommodation)
- you have more than £16,000 in savings* (including cash at home, money in bank/building society accounts, stocks and shares, premium bonds and property, other than the property you are living in)
*unless you are receiving Pension Credit Guarantee - your status in the UK excludes you from receiving public funds. If you have recently come from abroad you will normally need to demonstrate that you have the right to stay in this country. You will also have to satisfy the habitual residency test before we can pay you any benefit
- you are a full time student – unless you are a full time student who is also:
a lone parent; or
disabled; or
under 19 following a further (not higher) course; or
aged 60 or more
If you are a full time student you may be awarded an exemption from paying Council Tax. You should contact the Council Tax section about this as soon as possible.
How much Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit will I get?
How much benefit you can get depends on how much money you have coming in and any savings. It also depends on the number of people living with you in your home, their ages and the amount of money they receive.
It also depends on the type of accommodation you are living in and whether you are renting from a private landlord, the council or a Housing Association.
The amount we can pay you may be restricted. For example:
- if you have other adults living with you in your household you may get less benefit
- if you are a single person under 25 years or a private tenant and your rent is high the
amount we can pay you may be restricted
If you are working (or have an income other than Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance) you can also try the online calculator.
If you would like further information about this you should contact us.