Benefits to help with housing costs
Housing Benefit
You can claim Housing Benefit if you are paying rent on your home.
You can apply for Housing Benefit whether you are employed or unemployed.
If you live with a partner, only one of you needs to make the application for Housing Benefit.
If you are single and under 35, you can only get an amount of Housing Benefit that would pay for a single room in shared accommodation. This is called the Shared Room Accommodation Rate. This is the maximum that will be paid towards your rent regardless of whether you live in a self-contained flat or a bigger property.
However, if you are disabled you won't be restricted to the shared accommodation rate if you receive regular overnight care from a carer (you will need to provide evidence that you need an extra room for this) or get the following benefits:
- Daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Middle- or high-rate care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Armed forces independence payment
Housing Benefit at GOV.UK (external link)
Housing Benefit for young people (18 - 21 years old)
Some 18 to 21-year-olds claiming Universal Credit ARE NOT entitled to help with housing costs to pay their rent. This is the case for Universal Credit full-service areas.
However, some young people aged 18 - 21 years, who are claiming Universal Credit in a full-service area will be able to get help with their housing costs. Examples include certain vulnerable people and people unable to live with their parents
People already getting Housing Benefit are not affected, unless they stop claiming then reapply for housing support through Universal Credit later on.
Housing costs for 18 to 21-year-olds on GOV.UK (external link)
If you need help with housing and benefits you can get advice from services who specialise in providing this information.
England Shelter Housing Benefit (external link)
Council Tax Reduction
Check with the council to see if you are eligible for help to pay your Council Tax.
You can claim Council Tax Reduction if you are the person paying the council tax on your rented home or if you are a homeowner and liable to pay Council Tax.
The rates of Council Tax Reduction you may get will depend on your income and savings and are decided by your council.
Find out more about Council Tax discounts and reductions
You may also qualify for a discount on your Council Tax because of the circumstances of the people in your home, or the property may be exempt from the charge altogether.
Disabled Band Reduction
Your council tax can be reduced by the equivalent of one band if a disabled person lives at the property.
Certain criteria would have to be met which include either using a wheelchair indoors or having an extra room to meet the needs of the disabled person.
Your Council Tax may be reduced by 25% if you live with the person who cares for you. This is called a Carer’s Discount and will depend on how many people live in the property, and if they are a carer for you or not.
Find out more on the Disabled Band Reduction page
Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG)
Disabled Facilities Grants are local council grants that can help towards the cost of essential changes to your home that mean you can continue to remain in your own home and maintain your independence.
Find out more on the Disabled Facilities Grants page and on the GOV.UK home and housing pages (external link).
