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Housing Benefit is a means-tested benefit paid to help people on a low income pay their rent. The amount you get will depend on who is in your family, your income and savings, and the level of your rent.
To qualify for Housing Benefit, you must:
- be liable for rent at the property you normally live in
- on a low income - either from benefits or work
- have savings of less than £16,000 (unless you are getting the Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit)
- not be subject to immigration control
- satisfy residence and presence conditions
- not be in an exempt group e.g. most full time students are not eligible for Housing Benefit
If you get or have an underlying entitlement to Carer's Allowance, you may be able to get extra help from Housing Benefit as the carer premium will be added when your benefit is calculated.
Note that Housing Benefit will not always cover all rent charges, and can be restricted in some circumstances.
How to claim
You can get a claim form from the Housing Benefit department of your local council.