UNIVERSAL CREDIT
Welfare benefits that cover rent
Universal Credit
You cannot get Universal Credit to help with housing costs if any of the following apply:
- you’re living in supported or sheltered housing (such as a hostel) where you receive a support package as part of your accommodation
- you’re living in temporary accommodation, arranged by your local authority
- you’re living in a refuge for survivors of domestic abuse
Universal Credit is one single benefit that includes the following payments;
- Housing Benefit
- Income Based Job Seeker's Allowance
- Working Tax Credits
- Child Tax Credits
- Income Support
- Income Related Employment Support Allowance
Your Universal Credit application must be completed online, to make an application please click here.
To help you with your Universal Credit application and managing your online account we have created these bespoke guides:
If you require further assistance making your claim online or managing your account, we are here to help. You can contact your Housing or support worker on 01253228944 who can provide assistance and support making your claim and managing your account.
HOUSING BENEFIT
Process for claiming Housing benefit
To claim housing benefit, you will need to fill in a form, which you can get from your housing officer. You can also download the form from your local council website or from your housing benefit office.
Make sure you complete the form as soon as you can to avoid delays in receiving payment. As soon as you have completed the form take it to your council housing benefit office or submit online. You will also need to provide original documents - not photocopies - to prove that the statements you have made in your form are true.
Your housing officer can advise you on the documents you need. Important documents such as your tenancy or licence agreement, passport or pension book should not be put in the post. The benefit office will give you a receipt, which you should keep as proof of your housing benefit application.
Your claim will be made from the date that you hand in the form, so if you are waiting for certain documents to go with your claim, such as wage slips or fit notes, hand the form in at once, and send the information on when it arrives.
What does you Housing Benefit Cover?
Housing benefit may cover all of your rent, or only part of it, depending on your income and circumstances. If you have other adults living with you your payments may be reduced to take account of their contribution to the family income, this is called a 'non-dependant deduction'.
Some service charges do not qualify for Housing Benefit, for instance domestic water rates, these are called ‘ineligible service charges. Our housing staff or support workers can help you calculate how much you will need to pay yourself. Your ineligible service chargers will need to be paid directly to the support provider unless advised otherwise in your licence or tenancy agreement.
Changes to your housing benefit
You must tell the housing benefit office in writing about any changes in your circumstances. For example, family members leaving home, starting work, increases in your rent payments etc. It is a criminal offence to fail to tell the housing benefit office about changes which may affect your claim.
Mistakes made to housing benefits claims
If you think that the housing benefit office has made a mistake when assessing your claim, you can ask them to review their decision. If you are still not satisfied you can ask a Housing Benefit claim to be appealed at tribunal. Our Staff and specialist advisors can help you with this, alternatively, you may wish to seek independent welfare advice. Whatever you do, do not forget to keep us updated.
Who to contact for more help or advice?
For advice on claiming benefits, you can contact the Housing Services Team on
01253228944.
Alternatively, you may wish to contact your local Citizens' Advice Bureaux.