Housing Benefit
Housing Benefit is a means-tested benefit that helps people on low incomes pay their rent. It is being replaced by the housing cost element of Universal Credit for working-age claimants, but remains available to pension-age claimants and some other groups. The amount payable depends on the Local Housing Allowance rate in your area, your income, and your household circumstances.
Housing Benefit is a means-tested benefit administered by local councils that helps people on low incomes pay their rent. Working-age claimants are generally moved onto Universal Credit housing costs when they make a new claim, but pension-age claimants, certain care home residents, and some exempt accommodation residents can still claim Housing Benefit directly. The amount is capped at the applicable Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate for private tenants, or the eligible rent for social housing tenants. Savings above £16,000 prevent entitlement for working-age claimants; capital rules differ for pension-age claimants. A common pitfall is failing to report changes in rent or household circumstances promptly — overpayments must usually be repaid. Contact your local council's housing benefit team to apply.
Related guides
Housing Benefit
Housing Benefit is the legacy rent support benefit — it remains available for pension-age claimants and those in certain exempt accommodation, but most working-age people who need help with rent must now claim the housing costs element of Universal Credit instead. If you are of working age and not yet migrated, see our <a href="/benefits-support/universal-credit-housing">Universal Credit housing costs guide</a>. Housing Benefit is a means-tested benefit that helps people on a low income pay their rent. However, Housing Benefit remains available for people above State Pension age, some people in temporary or exempt accommodation, and those who have not yet been migrated to Universal Credit.
9 min
Universal Credit Housing Costs Element
This guide is specifically about the housing costs element within Universal Credit — how it is calculated, the LHA cap, the bedroom tax, and what to do if it does not cover your rent. If you are above State Pension age or in certain exempt accommodation and need help with rent through the legacy Housing Benefit system, see our <a href="/benefits-support/housing-benefit">Housing Benefit guide</a>. Universal Credit includes a housing costs element to help with rent for people in private or social housing. The amount you receive depends on the Local Housing Allowance rate for private renters, or the eligible rent for social housing tenants. Understanding how it is calculated helps you budget and identify if you may be entitled to additional help.
7 min