What you'll get
How much Housing Benefit you can get depends on a number of things. These include
- your age
- the UK benefit cap
- your income and any savings
- your partner's income and savings (if you have a partner)
- who lives with you and if they should pay towards the rent.
If any of the following are included in your rent charge you will not receive Housing Benefit to cover these costs:
- Utilities
- Meals
- Water and Sewerage
- Entertainment (e.g. TV Licence)
- Personal Care
You won't receive more Housing Benefit than the amount you pay in rent. If your Housing Benefit award is less than your rent, you must make up the shortfall.
Private tenants and Local Housing Allowance (LHA)
If you rent your home from a private landlord, your Housing Benefit is linked to your LHA rate. The rate is set when you make a claim and renewed each April.
You should let us know straight away if your rent or other circumstances change, so we can pay you the right amount of benefit.
