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How to apply for Housing Benefit.
To apply for housing benefit you need to fill in a form, which you can get from your local council office. You should fill in the form and return it to the council as quickly as possible. If possible you should hand in your completed form in person and get a receipt in case there are problems later. Take photocopies of everything in case your application gets lost.
You will also need to provide your tenancy agreement or a letter from your landlord confirming your tenancy, proof of your identity and proof of income.
If you do not provide this information your claim could be stopped or delayed. If you are having problems providing this information, get advice.
Who can claim housing benefit?
You can claim housing benefit if:
• you are the person - or one of the people - who pays the rent
• you are claiming benefits
• you have a low income
You cannot claim housing benefit if:
• you are a full time student (except in certain circumstances)
• you pay rent to a friend or relative that you live with (except in certain circumstances)
• you have more than £16,000 in savings
• you are only allowed to live in the UK on condition that you have 'no recourse to public funds'
If you are an asylum seeker or come from abroad and are not sure about your immigration status it is important to get advice before claiming housing benefit. Claiming if you are not eligible could affect your right to stay in the country.
How much housing benefit will I get?
It is rare that housing benefit will cover the whole of the rent you have to pay to your landlord. You will have to make up the difference between the amount of rent due and the amount of housing benefit you get out of your own money. If you wish to establish how much housing benefit you are likely to receive, you can request a 'pre-tenancy determination'.
This will determine the level of housing benefit you will receive. Your landlord will have to have input into this.
How long will it take for housing benefit to be paid?
There is no time limit that councils have to stick to when assessing housing benefit claims. However many councils have targets to deal with housing benefit claims within a certain time. When you have filled in the form and provided all the information required the council will assess your claim. You should be notified in writing of the amount of housing benefit you are entitled to.
My first payment still hasn't come through
If no payment is made within 14 days of your claim form being received by the council and you have provided all the information required you are entitled to, an 'interim payment' can be made while your housing benefit is being calculated. You need to request this. The amount you are paid may be less than the amount of rent you have to pay. Once your claim is assessed any difference between your housing benefit entitlement and the amount of housing benefit paid on account as interim payments will either be refunded or recovered from you.
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