How to claim housing benefit

You can apply for housing benefit as part of your pension credit application.

Otherwise, you can apply directly through your council.

Find contact details for your local authority.

When you apply, you’ll need to provide: 

• recent pay slips if you’re in work
• recent bank statements
• details of any benefits you’re getting
• details of who lives with you (e.g. a partner)
• rent details
• your landlord’s contact details

Check your council’s website before filling in the form so you know exactly what information they want to see.

Usually, a decision will be taken in about two weeks.

If you don’t hear anything after this time, get in touch with your local council and ask for an update.

If you can’t wait that long and need help urgently, ask your council about a short-term discretionary housing payment.

This could help tide you over in the meantime.

You can’t make a new housing benefit claim if you’re already on universal credit.

Instead, your rent support comes from the housing element of universal credit.

The only exception is if you’re living in temporary or supported housing.

Yes.

You can claim up to 13 weeks ahead of when you need it, which could be helpful if you’re moving.

This goes up to 17 weeks if you’re aged 60 or above.

But you won’t usually get any money before your moving date.

If you’re not happy with a housing benefit decision, you can:

• ask the council to review its decision
• appeal against it at a tribunal

You can get free help and advice on appealing a decision from:

• Citizens Advice
• Shelter