Housing Benefit can help with paying your rent. If your income is low you may qualify for Housing Benefit. To claim Housing Benefit you must fill in a form, available from your local Council or online, giving details of your income and household. Housing Benefit cannot normally be backdated, so it is important that you claim as soon as you think you might be entitled. We will help you to complete the form if you would like us to.
The completed form should be sent straight away to the Housing Benefit Section of your local Council. The application will normally be processed within 14 working days unless it is incomplete.
If you receive Housing Benefit and have a change of circumstances, you must contact the Housing Benefit Section of your local Council straight away, as your entitlement to benefit and rent payments may be affected. Some of the changes you should report are someone moving in or out of your home or someone in your household starting/stopping work.
You may be able to claim other benefits, for example Income Support or Tax Credit. For more information please contact your local Benefits Agency or Job Centre Plus on 0845 608 8524.
