Who can claim Housing Benefit
Most people who receive Universal Credit (UC) get help to pay their rent. This is called the housing costs element.
However, you may be able to make a new claim for Housing Benefit if you meet one of the following exceptions:
- you live in temporary accommodation provided by the council, in supported accommodation, or in a hostel
- you and your partner (if you have one) have reached state pension age. Check your State Pension Age (GOV.UK)
- you are a mixed age couple where one of you is of pension age and have been getting the Guarantee element of Pension Credit continuously since before 15 May 2019. This means that the older member of the couple will be the main claimant.
If you meet one of the exceptions, you can get Housing Benefit if you:
- rent and live in your home
- have income low enough to satisfy the means test
- have savings or investments under £16,000 (unless you also receive the Guarantee element of Pension Credit). Savings over £6,000 (or £10,000 for pensioners) will affect how much you get.
Your Housing Benefit will be credited to your rent account if you’re a council tenant. If you’re a private tenant, we’ll pay you or your landlord. You or your landlord may need to complete an additional form to receive the payment by BACS.
You cannot get Housing Benefit if you own your home but you may qualify for other financial help.
Existing Housing Benefit claimants
If you already receive Housing Benefit, you can continue to do so until:
- your circumstances change and you need to make a new claim, or
- you’re migrated to Universal Credit by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
You do not need to start a new claim if you move house and stay in Royal Greenwich - you just need to tell us if your circumstances have changed. We may also contact you for further information and evidence.
Once you’ve claimed Universal Credit, your Housing Benefit claim and any other legacy benefits will end.
You cannot re-claim in the future unless you meet one of the listed exceptions.