Having your own home can be great, but it brings responsibilities. Paying rent and council tax can be difficult, especially if you are on a low income, income support or jobseekers allowance.  There are benefits available from your local Council/ Housing Office to reduce these costs, and help you stay independent in your own home.  If you are disabled, you may also be able to claim an additional Direct Payment from your social services or social work department, to pay for extra expenses.  If you’re a student in higher education, it’s unlikely that you will be able to claim benefits, but there are exceptions, so it’s worth checking.

Housing Benefits

Housing Benefit is an allowance, paid by your local Council, which helps towards paying your rent. It can also be known as a rent rebate or rent allowance.

Who can get Housing Benefit?

To receive Housing Benefit, you usually need to be on a low income and paying rent on a property. You don’t have to be receiving any other benefits to be entitled to it.  Housing Benefit is not available to students in higher education, unless you are disabled or have children.  To apply for Housing Benefit you need to complete a claim form and apply at your local Housing Office or look for further information on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) website at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/