Make a claim for Housing Benefit

Only the tenant, the tenant's partner or official appointees can claim Housing Benefit. A landlord cannot claim for them.

An official appointee is a person who has been arranged by the Department of Work and Pensions to make and maintain any benefit claims for you.

You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if either of the following apply:

• you and your partner have reached State Pension age and receive Guarantee Pension Credit
• you live in temporary accommodation provided by the local authority
• you live in supported or exempt accommodation

Make a claim for Housing Benefit

Benefits calculator

You can use the calculator to: 

• see if you're entitled to Housing Benefit and how much you might get
• see if you qualify for a Council Tax reduction and how much you might get
• find out if you're entitled to Income Support, Pension Credit or Tax Credits 

Use our benefits calculator

When you should claim for Universal Credit instead

You should apply for Universal Credit to include your housing costs if you're not:

• in supported accommodation or exempt accommodation
• in temporary accommodation provided by a the local authority
• of state pension age

Claim for Universal Credit