Can I still claim Housing Benefit?
Last reviewed:
In short: Mostly no — Housing Benefit is closed to new working-age claims. Apply for the housing element of Universal Credit instead. Pension-age renters and people in specified or temporary accommodation can still claim Housing Benefit.
Housing Benefit was replaced by the housing element of Universal Credit for most working-age renters as part of the UC rollout (managed migration is largely complete). New working-age claims for Housing Benefit are now only accepted for supported, specified or temporary accommodation.
If you are over State Pension age you can still claim Housing Benefit through your local council. Mixed-age couples (one over, one under State Pension age) are usually on Universal Credit unless they were on Pension Credit or pension-age Housing Benefit before 15 May 2019.
The amount is capped by the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) for private tenants — rates are set by Broad Rental Market Area on gov.uk.
Primary source: gov.uk/housing-benefit