Apply for Housing Benefit

Find out if you are eligible for benefits by using our benefits calculator.

Apply for Housing Benefit

You can apply for Housing Benefit if you are

  • Of pensionable age*

  • In exempt accommodation, such as a hostel or sheltered accommodation

  • In temporary accommodation placed by our Housing Options Team

* Most mixed age couples ( working and pension age couple)  needing to make a new claim for help with housing costs must claim UC.

Further eligibility criteria:

  • You rent your home and usually live in your home for which you are claiming benefits

  • You are responsible for paying rent as a tenant, boarder, lodger or in a hostel or bed and breakfast

  • You have a low income, or are claiming benefits

  • You do not have more than £16,000 savings and investments, unless you receive Guaranteed Pension Credit.

Your online application must be fully completed to validate the claim.  To complete your application, you will need to know:               

  1. National insurance number for both you and a partner living at the address

  2. Monthly earnings for both you and your partner

  3. Capital, savings and investments for both you and your partner

  4. Benefits, pensions, credits and allowances for both you and your partner.              

Upload your proofs at the same time as completing your application (by taking a photo)

If you are a non-UK national, please seek advice on whether you are eligible for benefits from the Citizens Advice Bureau if you are in the EU or EEA.  If you are a non-UK national and not in the EU or EEA, please seek advice on whether you have had recourse to public funds and can apply for benefits from the Citizens Advice Bureau.

We need all your documents and supporting evidence within one month from the date you submit your claim.  If you fail to provide all the required information within that timescale we may assume you do not wish to claim and your application will be withdrawn. Apply for housing benefits by registering for your benefits account and completing the housing benefits new claim form.

Evidence required to support your application

If you do not have internet access you must not send original documentation as we accept copies only. If you send original documents we are unable to return these to you.

Living at address

  • Utility bill and tenancy agreement (showing start date of tenancy) 

Rent

  • Tenancy agreement or letter from landlord or rent proof document.  Must include names of all tenants and whether jointly liable; landlord name; property address; tenancy start date; gross rent and what is included in the rent (e.g. electricity, council tax). 

Identity 

  • If you have not previously claimed at the same address within the last three years: 1 photo ID such as driving licence/passport 

Earnings for both you and your partner 

  • Payslips to cover the last two months. 

Capital, savings and investments for both you and your partner

  • If you are of working age with capital/ savings more than £6,000 and less than £16,000: last two months bank statements from all accounts held; savings books must be made up to date.
  • If you are of pension age with capital/ savings more than £10,000 and less than £16,000: last two months bank statements from all accounts held; savings books must be made up to date.
  • If you are of pension age and you are in receipt of Pension Guarantee Credits we accept claims with capital over £16,000 and no evidence is required. 

Please contact us for trust funds

Self-employed earnings
If you are self-employed:

In all the above there needs to be clear separation of any expense relating to both home and work.

Evidence of other income (e.g. Student grants/loans)

  • If you are, or your partner is, a student, provide proof of student support and course including term dates and student exemption certificate.
  • Other income - proofs not requested at the first stage of completing the claim form. This may be required when assessing your claim.

Non-dependent income (other people who are over 18 and living at your home, e.g. children 18 and over)

  • If non-dependents are working 16 or more hours a week: payslips to cover the last two months' income. If non-dependents are students - student exemption certificate. 

Childcare costs

  • Childminder registration invoice/agreement 

Statutory Sick Pay 

  • Letter from your employer 

Benefits, pensions, credits and allowances

  • Proofs not required at the first stage of completing the claim form. This may be required when assessing your claim. 

Telephone appointment

If you would like a phone appointment to discuss your circumstances, please request an appointment.  You will need your benefit account number.      

If you have any problems in supplying the information, please make sure you contact us for advice.  

You may be able to get housing benefit backdated for:

  • one month for working age claimants

  • three months if you and your partner are over the qualifying age for Pension Credit. 

Tell us on the claim form the date you would like your claim to start and your reasons for not having claimed earlier.

Our Chief Executive has made a Direction on Electronic Communications for the benefits and support that we administer.

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