Can anyone who has to pay rent apply?
Local councils run the scheme using rules prescribed by government. If you live in private rented accommodation (which includes Housing Association property) then you may be able to claim Housing Benefit to help you with your rent. Benefit entitlement is means-tested so the amount of help that you get depends upon a number of factors such as the level of your income and savings and also on any other people who live with you.
You cannot normally get Housing Benefit if:
- You are not liable to pay rent
- Either you or your partner, or you and your partner together have more than £16,000 in savings
- You pay rent to a close relative who lives with you
- You rent a former joint home from your ex-partner
- You are the parent or guardian of your landlord’s child
- You occupy the home as part of your job
- You live in a care home, such as a nursing or elderly persons home.
