Can I still claim Housing Benefit?
Short answer
Only in limited cases. Most working-age renters must claim the housing costs element of Universal Credit instead. New Housing Benefit claims are still possible if you are above State Pension age, or live in temporary, supported or other exempt accommodation — and it is your council, not the DWP, that decides.
Housing Benefit is now a legacy benefit. For most working-age renters it has been replaced by the housing costs element of Universal Credit, and a fresh Housing Benefit claim will simply be refused. It survives for three groups: people above State Pension age, people in temporary accommodation arranged by the council, and residents of supported or exempt accommodation such as refuges and some sheltered housing.
The mixed-age couple trap
If you have a partner and only one of you has reached State Pension age, you will usually have to claim Universal Credit as a couple rather than Housing Benefit — a rule that catches many households by surprise and can leave them significantly worse off. Check your position before ending an existing claim, because you cannot normally go back.
How much it actually pays
Housing Benefit rarely covers the whole rent:
- Private renters are capped at the Local Housing Allowance rate for the area and the property size you are deemed to need, which is often well below market rent.
- Council and housing association tenants can lose part of the award to the under-occupancy reduction — the bedroom tax — if the DWP counts more bedrooms than your household needs.
- Any shortfall is yours to fund, so ask the council about a Discretionary Housing Payment, which can cover a gap and is often used to fund a move to cheaper accommodation.
Housing Benefit is administered by your local council rather than the DWP, and can be paid to you or direct to your landlord. Because it is a council scheme, it does not travel with you: if you move to a different council area you must make a fresh claim with the new council on or before the move date, and even a move within the same area must be reported immediately so the award is recalculated. Late reporting is the most common cause of overpayments.
Two things people often miss. Council Tax Reduction is a separate scheme with its own application, though the same council team usually handles both — apply for both at once. And the two-child limit does not touch the bedroom entitlement calculation, which counts every dependent child in the household whatever their date of birth.
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
Discretionary Housing Payments
A Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) is additional help from your local council to cover a housing costs shortfall — such as when your UC housing element or Housing Benefit does not cover your full rent. DHPs are not guaranteed and are awarded at the council's discretion based on your circumstances and the council's budget.
5 min
Council Tax Support
Council Tax Support (also called Council Tax Reduction or CTR) is help from your local council with your council tax bill if you are on a low income. Unlike most benefits, Council Tax Support is set locally — each council runs its own scheme with its own rules and maximum reduction levels. This guide explains how it works and how to claim.
8 min
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