Housing benefit is paid by your local council and is to provide help towards your rent. To be eligible for housing benefit you do not have to be in receipt of any other benefits.
To be eligible for housing benefit you must be on a low income, paying rent and have less than £16,000 in savings. You cant get housing benefit if you are living in a close relatives house, are a full time student or an asylum seeker.
Entitlements to housing benefit are worked out on each individual case. Factors taken into consideration will be your age, the size of your family, whether you or a member of your family is disabled, the size of the property and the amount of rent. A calculation of your total income, minus specific deductions will be made and housing benefit will be awarded in accordance. Application forms for housing benefit are available from your local authority. They will want details of all members of your family (or others) living in the house, including proof of NI numbers, all income details plus bank statements.
Housing costs
Deductions are made for non-dependants sharing the household
Because of the complex nature of calculating an income support entitlement and application it is advisable to seek experienced help, either from your local Citizens Advice Bureau, independent advice centre, Benefit Enquiry Line.
