Housing benefit
is a government scheme to help people on low income pay their rent
- whether you pay the council or a private landlord. People who are
lodgers or live in hostels can also claim.
The amount of housing benefit you get will depend on your
income, savings and other family circumstances.
Who can apply?
Anyone who has to pay rent can apply. This includes council and
private tenants.
You can claim housing benefit if you are the named person liable
to pay the rent.
If you are a joint tenant we can also help you with your share
of the rent.
In some circumstances you can be treated as the liable person, even
though you are not the named person on the tenancy agreement.
Further help and advice
Housing and
Council Tax Benefit Application Form (PDF 201KB)
If you wish to apply for Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax
Benefit, or to reapply after a break in your claim, please use the
link above. If you are already getting Housing Benefit and/or
Council Tax Benefit and need to tell us that you have changed
address within the borough, please choose one of the Change of
Address form links below
Change of
Address form for Private and Housing Association Tenants (PDF
62KB)
This form should be completed if you are moving within the
borough, a private tenant or Housing Association Tenant and
you are already in receipt of Housing Benefit.
Change of
Address form for Council Tenants or Council Tax Benefit only
applicants (PDF 48KB)
This form should be completed if you are moving within the
borough, you are a Council Tenant or claiming Council Tax Benefit
only and you are already in receipt of Housing and/or Council Tax
Benefit