Benefits - new claim
Most people who are liable to pay rent or Council Tax can claim benefits. The main restrictions relate to students and people who have only recently arrived in the United Kingdom. You will need to complete an application form and provide original documents confirming the composition of your household, your income and capital and your rental liability. Once you have handed in your application form, the Benefits Service will write to you if any more information is needed to assess your claim.
If you would like an application form, please e-mail benefits@lbhf.gov.uk or telephone 0845 803 1020.
How much could I get?
To work out your Housing Benefit, the council will look at:
- money you and your partner have coming in, including earnings, some benefits and tax credits and things like occupational pensions
- your savings and your partner's savings
- your circumstances, such as your age, the ages and size of your family, whether you or any of your family are disabled, and whether anyone who lives with you could help with the rent.
The council will also look at whether:
- the amount of rent is reasonable for your particular home
- your home is a reasonable size for you and your family
- the amount of rent is reasonable for the area your home is in.
See - How much could I get - for estimated amounts »
The most Housing Benefit you can get is the same as your eligible rent. This may not be the same as your full rent.
The Resident Services Department assess benefits. If you need more information please call 0845 803 1020 or email: benefits@lbhf.gov.uk
Housing Benefit helps to meet some or all of your rental liability, whether to the council, a registered social landlord or a private landlord. If you have a mortgage, Housing Benefit cannot help with meeting this liability. In addition to paying the rent for a house, flat etc, Housing Benefit can also pay certain property-related ‘service charges’ such as for furniture and heating / lighting of communal areas in a block of flats.
