Housing Benefit/Local Housing Allowance – what is it?

The rising cost of living in the United Kingdom means that more and more people, including Poles in the UK, are considering the possibility of getting financial support in the form of a benefit. One of the available benefits is housing support, i.e. Housing Benefit, as well as Universal Credit, which is replacing it. Who can apply for this help? How do you make a claim? What is Local Housing Allowance and how does it affect the amount of the benefit? We answer these questions below.

What is Housing Benefit?

Housing Benefit is a benefit to help cover housing costs aimed at people who:

• are unemployed,

• work but have a low income,

• claim other benefits.

Housing Benefit - who is it for?

Housing Benefit is one of the benefits currently being replaced by Universal Credit. New claims for housing benefit in its old form can only be made by people who have reached State Pension age or live in temporary, sheltered or supported accommodation. In all other cases, financial support towards housing costs should be claimed through Universal Credit.

In addition, there are factors that may make it impossible to receive Housing Benefit even if you meet the conditions above, including:

• having savings of more than £16,000 (this does not apply to people entitled to the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit),

• living in the home of a close relative,

• paying off a mortgage on your own home,

• claiming Universal Credit,

• living with a partner who already claims Housing Benefit.

How much is Housing Benefit?

There is no single set benefit amount that applies to every claimant. How much support you can get through Housing Benefit depends on whether you rent privately or from the council or a social landlord.

• For council or social housing, the amount of housing benefit is calculated based on:

your eligible rent (the cost of renting the property including service charges, e.g. lift maintenance, but excluding heating or water costs),

• whether the property has a spare bedroom (the eligible rent is reduced by 14%) or 2 or more (the eligible rent is reduced by 25%),

• your income (including any benefits, pensions and savings),

• additional factors, e.g. the age of the people in the household and whether anyone living with you is disabled.

• If you rent privately, the benefit amount you can receive is calculated based on your rent or the applicable Local Housing Allowance rate (whichever is lower).

Local Housing Allowance - what is it?

Local Housing Allowance is the maximum rate of housing benefit you can receive. It is affected by where you live and the number of bedrooms you can receive the benefit for (this number depends on the number and age of the people in the household).

Housing Benefit and Local Housing Allowance for Poles - what conditions do you need to meet?

Poles living in the UK can apply for Housing Benefit if they hold settled status or the right to reside and claim benefits in the UK. They also need to show that their main place of residence is in the UK (or in Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man) and that they intend to continue living there.

How to claim Housing Benefit?

If you meet all the conditions required to receive Housing Benefit, you can apply for it:

• through your local council,

• as part of a Pension Credit claim, if you are entitled.

What should you include with your claim?

You will also need to provide evidence confirming the information in your claim, including: your most recent payslips (5 if you are paid weekly, 2 if monthly) and bank or building society statements for the last two full months.

If it applies to your situation, you will also need to provide documents confirming your partner’s name and address (two different documents are required; you can use, for example, a current passport, a birth or marriage certificate, or a photo driving licence).

If you rent privately, you will additionally need to provide your tenancy agreement and a letter from your landlord confirming the tenancy.

Universal Credit instead of Housing Benefit - frequently asked questions

How much do you need to earn to get Universal Credit?

Universal Credit is intended for people who are unemployed, unable to work or on a low income. If you or your partner work, your income will affect the amount of UC paid - every £1 earned reduces the benefit by 55p.

What conditions do you need to meet to get Universal Credit?

Universal Credit can be claimed by people who: live in the UK, are 18 or over (with some exceptions for those aged 16 or 17), are under State Pension age and have less than £16,000 in savings (including investments).

How can you check whether you are entitled to Universal Credit?

First of all, check whether you meet all the conditions set for Universal Credit claimants. We also encourage you to use the online benefits calculator to check which benefit you are entitled to and how much. You can get help checking whether you qualify for a benefit, as well as with making a claim, from Citizens Advice advisers through the Help to Claim service online or by phone.