Housing Benefit is a national welfare benefit administered by Local Authorities. The purpose of Housing Benefit is to help people receiving state benefits or on low incomes pay their rent.

Depending on your income and circumstances, we can help pay up to 100% of your rent.

We will normally pay your benefit to you every four weeks (for the four weeks that have just passed). Payments can be made directly into your bank/building society account on written request. PLEASE NOTE: Evidence that the account exists will be required. If you require, we can pay your landlord directly into their bank/building society account. This is dependant on the Housing Benefit scheme you fall under. If you require more information on making direct payments to your landlord, please contact the Customer Services department on 01202 451592.

If you rent your property from the Local Authority, any benefit will go straight to your rent account.

To be entitled to claim Housing Benefit the claimant must be liable to make payments in respect of a dwelling which they occupy as a home. These can include public sector tenants who rent from the Local Authority or are placed in Bed & Breakfast accomodation by the Local Authority, private sector tenants (including boarders) who rent from a private landlord or housing association as well as hostel dwellers (excluding bail hostels).

You cannot claim Housing Benefit if you live with, and have to pay rent to, a close relative or in-law such as a parent, step-parent, civil partner, son, daughter, stepson, step-daughter or their partners.

Owner-occupiers, long lease holders (over 21  years), most full-time students and many residents in private & voluntary registered residential care and nursing homes are also, amongst others, not eligible to claim for Housing Benefit.