HOUSING BENEFIT

Leaflets GL16 and RR2

• You can normally get housing benefit only if you satisfy all the following conditions:
• You are liable to pay rent on your normal home;
• Your capital is no more than £16,000;
• You are on Income Support or income based Jobseekers Allowance or you have a fairly low income;
• You make a claim and provide all information requested.

Note: the majority of students can no longer get Housing Benefit.

• Your Housing Benefit will be paid by the Housing Benefit section of your local council. It is not paid automatically -?? you must claim for it even if you are receiving income support or income based Jobseekers Allowance.
• If you live in council accommodation your Housing Benefit will automatically be taken off your rent.
• If you live in privately rented accommodation you may receive a giro by post although housing benefit may be paid direct to your landlord.
• The rules for awarding Housing Benefit mean that:
• Your benefit will be decided on your -??take home' (net) income
• Benefit will not usually be backdated. You will only be paid Housing Benefit from the Monday after your claim is received.

It is very important you claim straight away. If in any doubt claim anyway.

For more information on Housing Benefit, see the Housing chapter.