Housing Benefit helps with rent, but it's being replaced by Universal Credit. As of Nov 2026, GOV.UK says you can only make a new claim if you've reached State Pension age or you're in supported, sheltered or temporary housing. Everyone else claims Universal Credit for housing costs, and there's no set amount of Housing Benefit.
If you've searched for Housing Benefit, there's a fair chance the answer you need is Universal Credit. That isn't true for everyone, though. Two groups can still start a new claim, and the rules on spare bedrooms and private rents still decide how much you get. Here's how GOV.UK sets it out.
The two routes into a new Housing Benefit claim
GOV.UK says you can only make a new claim if you've reached State Pension age, or you're in supported, sheltered or temporary housing. This table sums up the main situations, as of Nov 2026:
| Your situation | New Housing Benefit claim? |
|---|---|
| Single and reached State Pension age | Yes |
| Couple, both reached State Pension age | Yes, you can claim |
| Couple, one reached State Pension age and started Pension Credit as a couple before 15 May in 2019 | Yes |
| Pension age, but your live-in partner hasn't reached it (no earlier claim) | Usually not, claim Universal Credit |
| Temporary accommodation, a refuge, or supported or sheltered housing with care, support or supervision | Yes, at any age |
| Working age in ordinary rented housing | No, claim Universal Credit |
If you were already getting Housing Benefit and had reached State Pension age before 15 May in 2019, your existing claim isn't affected, even if your partner is under State Pension age. The catch is that if your circumstances change and that claim stops, you can't get it again unless you and your partner can make a new claim.
Supported, sheltered and temporary housing
You can make a new claim if you're in temporary accommodation such as a B&B arranged by your council, a refuge for survivors of domestic abuse, or sheltered or supported housing such as a hostel that provides care, support or supervision. If your housing doesn't provide that care, support or supervision, you apply for Universal Credit for housing costs instead. Either way, you can apply for Universal Credit to help with your other living costs.
When Housing Benefit usually isn't paid
Even inside those two groups, GOV.UK says you usually won't get Housing Benefit if:
- your savings are over 16,000 pounds, unless you get the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit
- you're paying a mortgage on your own home (you may be able to get Support for Mortgage Interest)
- you live in the home of a close relative
- you're already claiming Universal Credit, unless you're in temporary or supported housing
- your partner already claims Housing Benefit
- you're a full-time student
- you're an asylum seeker, you're in the UK under a sponsorship arrangement, or your leave says you can't claim public funds
- you're a Crown Tenant
How your Housing Benefit is worked out
There's no set amount. What you get depends on whether you rent privately or from a council. For council and social housing, GOV.UK says it depends on your eligible rent, whether you have a spare room, your household income (including benefits, pensions and savings over 6,000 pounds) and your circumstances, such as the ages of people in the house or whether someone has a disability.
Your eligible rent is your actual rent plus service charges you have to pay, such as lift maintenance or a communal laundry, but not heating or water. If you rent privately, your eligible rent is either your Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate or your actual rent, whichever is lower. The LHA rate depends on where you live and how many bedrooms your household is allowed.
How you're paid depends on your tenancy. Council tenants have it paid into their rent account, so you won't receive the money yourself. Private and housing association tenants are paid into a bank or building society account, rarely by cheque. The benefit cap can also reduce Housing Benefit for most people aged 16 or over who haven't reached State Pension age.
The spare bedroom cut: 14% or 25% of eligible rent
This is the rule that surprises people in council and social homes. GOV.UK says your Housing Benefit could be reduced if you have a spare bedroom, by 14% of the eligible rent for 1 spare bedroom and 25% for 2 or more. Its own example: an eligible rent of 100 pounds per week with 1 spare bedroom is reduced by 14%, to 86 pounds per week, and Housing Benefit is calculated from that.
What counts as spare depends on who's expected to share. GOV.UK says an adult couple, 2 children under 16 of the same sex and 2 children under 10 (regardless of sex) are expected to share. A single adult aged 16 or over can have their own room, and so can a couple or children who can't share because of a disability or medical condition, or an overnight carer who doesn't live with you.
Foster carers get one spare bedroom for up to 52 weeks between placements, or from approval if no child is placed yet. Rooms used by students and members of the armed or reserve forces who are away but intend to return aren't counted as spare.
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How to apply for Housing Benefit
- Check you're eligible using a benefits calculator. GOV.UK says most people will need to claim Universal Credit instead.
- Apply through your local council, or as part of a Pension Credit claim if you're eligible for that.
- If you're applying for Pension Credit, apply online or call the Pension Service on 0800 99 1234 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm). It sends your Housing Benefit details to your council.
- Provide the evidence your council asks for to support the claim.
- If you're moving, you can claim in advance by up to 13 weeks, or 17 weeks if you're 60 or over, though you won't usually get money before you move. Ask your council about backdating.
If you're unhappy with a decision, you can ask the council to review it or appeal to a tribunal. GOV.UK says Citizens Advice and Shelter give free help and advice, and you can also go to a legal adviser or solicitor.
Plain advice if you rent and need help with housing costs
Work out which group you're in before you fill in anything. If you've reached State Pension age or you're in supported, sheltered or temporary housing, use the GOV.UK Housing Benefit guide and apply through your council or alongside Pension Credit. If you're working age in an ordinary tenancy, go straight to Universal Credit, because a new Housing Benefit claim isn't open to you.
Once your claim is in, a simple budget helps you see what's left after rent. These money-saving tips that work and the best budgeting apps I've rounded up are a good place to begin.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still claim Housing Benefit?
Only if you've reached State Pension age or you're in supported, sheltered or temporary housing. Most other people need to claim Universal Credit for help with rent.
How much Housing Benefit will I get?
There's no set amount. As of Nov 2026, GOV.UK says it depends on your eligible rent, any spare rooms, your household income and savings, and your circumstances. A benefits calculator gives an estimate.
What is the savings limit for Housing Benefit?
You usually won't get Housing Benefit if your savings are over 16,000 pounds, unless you get the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit.
How much is the spare bedroom reduction?
In council or social housing, it's 14% of your eligible rent for 1 spare bedroom and 25% for 2 or more spare bedrooms.
How far ahead can I apply for Housing Benefit?
You can claim in advance by up to 13 weeks, or 17 weeks if you're 60 or over, for example if you're moving.
Who pays Housing Benefit?
Your local council. Council tenants have it paid into their rent account, and private or housing association tenants are paid into a bank or building society account.
