How much housing benefit will I get?

If you live in a council or housing association property, the amount of housing benefit you’ll get will depend on:

• your eligible rent
• if you have a spare room
• your household income
• your personal circumstances

Your eligible rent 

This is your actual rent and any service charges you have to pay.

If you have a spare room

Your housing benefit might be reduced if you have a spare room. This is commonly known as the ‘bedroom tax’.

Your housing benefit could be reduced by: 

• 14% of the eligible rent if you have one spare bedroom
• 25% of the eligible rent if you have at least two spare bedrooms

 So if your eligible rent is £100 a week and you have one spare room, your eligible rent will be £86 a week - and that’s the number that’ll be used to work out your housing benefit.

 The following members of your household will be expected to share a bedroom:

• couples
• two under-10s
• two under-16s of the same sex

 The following members of your household won’t be expected to share a bedroom:

• a single adult aged 16 or above
• a child who can't share as all other rooms are full
• someone with a medical condition or disability
• an overnight carer

There are some exceptions to the spare-room rules.

If you’re a foster carer, you won’t be penalised for having one spare room for up to 52 weeks between placements. 

And if a member of your household is a student or armed/reserve forces member, their room won’t count as being spare while they’re away providing they plan to return.

Your household income

This includes your pensions, savings of £6,000 or more, and any benefits you’re currently receiving.

Your personal circumstances

For example, the age of the people in your household and whether anyone has a disability.

If you live in a private property, the amount of housing benefit you’ll get will depend on your: 

• eligible rent
• household income
• personal circumstances

Your eligible rent

This is whichever is lower of either: 

• your actual rent
• your local housing allowance (LHA) rate

  Your LHA rate depends on: 

• where you live
• what kind of property you live in
• how many bedrooms you need

 Your rent might be more than the LHA rate. If it is, you’ll have to make up the difference yourself.

 Check the local housing allowance rate in your area.
 
If you’ve been receiving housing benefit since before 7 April 2008, the LHA limit won’t apply unless:

• you move to a new home
• you have a break in your housing benefit claim

Your household income

This includes your pensions, savings of £6,000 or more, and any benefits you’re currently receiving.

 Your personal circumstances

For example, the age of the people in your household and whether anyone has a disability.

If you live in another type of home, such as a houseboat, caravan, a boarding home or hostel, and want help with your housing costs, you should get in touch with your local council.

If you’re a council tenant, your housing benefit be paid straight into your rent account so you won’t get the money yourself.

If you rent privately or through a housing association, the money will go into your bank or building society account.

Yes. The benefit cap places a limit on how much money you can get.

This mostly applies to people aged 16 or over who haven’t reached state pension age.

If you’re affected, your housing benefit could be reduced to make sure your total benefits don’t exceed the cap.

Use our benefits calculator to find out how much housing benefit you might get.