Rented Homes

People on income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance

Housing benefit for someone on income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance will cover all their eligible rent. Some housing costs are not eligible for housing benefit . This means that the claimant will have to pay them her/himself, even though s/he is on income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance.

If the housing benefit claim has been referred to the rent officer , the rent officer may decide that not all the rent can be met by housing benefit because the claimant is living in accommodation that is too large or too expensive. If the claimant cannot afford to pay the difference between the actual rent and the amount paid by housing benefit, s/he may have to consider moving to different accommodation. However, s/he can challenge the restriction of her/his rent.

To find out whether you are eligible for Housing benefit you should contact your local Benefits Agency.

If you have problems with any claim you will need to contact your local Citizens advice bureaux.

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Information on this page is current and last updated: 12/03/2008

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