Housing Benefit

The quickest and easiest way to claim Housing Benefit and submit evidence to support your claim is to use the buttons below. 

Important

• you can't claim Housing Benefit if you are eligible for Universal Credit unless you live in temporary or supported accomodation
• if you are liable to pay rent and Council Tax, you will be assessed for Council Tax Reduction based on your circumstances
• if you are self-employed, you need to fill in the Self employed earnings information form

Requesting a backdate

We normally assess your claim from the date we receive your application. However, your claim may be assessed from an earlier date in the following circumstances:

• If you are Pension Age
  Your Housing Benefit claim will be automatically backdated for up to a maximum of 3 months. You do not need to request this.

• If you are Working Age and Living in Temporary or Supported Accommodation
  You may request a backdate of your Housing Benefit claim to the date your circumstances changed.

  • the maximum period we can backdate your claim is one month from the date you make the request.
  • you must tell us the date your circumstances changed when you apply for the backdate

Tell us about changes to your circumstances

If you get Housing Benefit, it is important you tell us straight away if your circumstances change. For more information, see our Change of circumstances page.