How much you can get
Use our online benefit calculator to check your entitlement.
The amount you get depends on:
- money that you and your partner have coming in
- you and your partner's savings
- any other people you live with
- other circumstances such as your age, ages and size of your family or if anyone in your family is disabled
The level of support you get is reduced when your income is above a set threshold. This is known as the income taper rate.
The set threshold is called the applicable amount. This reflects you and your family's basic living needs. It’s compared with you (and your partner’s) income when calculating how much Housing Benefit you’re entitled to.
For all households, the income taper rate it 65%. This means the level of support you get is reduced by 65 pence for every £1 when your income is above the applicable amount.
You’ll receive maximum help if you’re on one of the following benefits:
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit Guarantee
Council or housing association tenants
If you're a council or housing association tenant, the amount you get also depends on:
- your eligible rent (this is the amount of rent we use in our assessment)
- if you're under pension age and have spare bedrooms
Private tenants
If you rent your home from a private landlord, the amount you get depends on the Local Housing Allowance - this may be lower than your actual rent.
Find more ways to get help with money
If you live with other adults
Your Housing Benefit may decrease if you live with someone who is over 18. This is called a non-dependant deduction.
The amount of the non-dependant deduction depends on whether the non-dependant is in work or receives a state benefit or pension. In this case, we consider the gross earnings of the non-dependant.
The deduction does not apply if:
- you or your partner get a relevant disability benefit
- the non-dependant is a full-time student
- the non-dependant gets Universal Credit and has no earned income or Pension Credit Guarantee