Housing Benefit

Housing benefit is to help with your rent. It is worked out using your income and looking at the circumstances of all the people who live in your household.

To be able to get help, you must

• Live in the home you are claiming for.
• Have to pay rent.
• Have capital of less than £16,000.
• Be getting a low wage or be on a low income.

Housing Benefit cannot be paid for

• Most full-time students.
• Most Co-ownership schemes.
• Crown tenants.
• Owner-occupiers.
• Nursing home or residential home fees.
• Long leases (except for shared ownership properties).
• Fuel costs, such as heating and lighting.
• Water charges.
• Meals provided by your landlord.

How much will I receive?

This will depend on

• How much money you have coming in.
• Who lives in your household.
• Income of non-dependants living in you household.
• How much capital you have.
• How much rent you have to pay.
• The amount decided by the rent officer.
• Whether your home is too large or too expensive.
• Whether anyone in your household has a disability.
• Whether you or your partner receive invalid care allowance for looking after someone.
• Whether you have been recently bereaved.

For more information on Housing Benefit contact the Housing Benefits office on Blyth 01670 542000.

You can download a Housing and Council Tax Benefit application form here.

Help stop benefit fraud

If you suspect anyone of making a fraudulent claim for housing or any other benefit, you can ring the Fraud Hotline on 01670 363333. You do not need to give your name and any information will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Free Welfare Benefit Check

If you would like to know if you are eligible for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit call into your local Yourlink office today and ask for your free welfare benefit check.

Check out your own entitlement to a range of welfare benefits on line at www.entitledto.co.uk.