Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit helps people pay their rent and is available to those on low incomes. You do not have to be receiving other benefits to get Housing Benefit.

Anyone on a low income who is living in a property and paying rent for that property can claim Housing Benefit. The actual amount of Housing Benefit you receive will depend on your circumstances, ie, your age, your income and any savings you may have. The size, location and rent of the property will also be considered when deciding how much Housing Benefit you will receive.

Although your income will decide how much benefit you get, there are certain circumstances that mean you will not receive Housing Benefit:

You have savings over £16,000
You are under the age of 16
You pay rent to a relative or friend
You live with a close relative (mother, father, step-parent, brother or sister)
You are the owner-occupier of the property
You are in a co-ownership scheme
You have a long lease on the property, eg, 21 years or more

If you live with a partner or civil partner only one of you can get Housing Benefit.

If you're single and aged under 25 you can only get Housing Benefit for bed-sit accommodation or one room in shared accommodation.

Full-time students cannot usually get Housing Benefit. Certain circumstances as a student may allow you to claim, including having dependent children, being a lone parent, being aged under 19 and in further education or if you are disabled.

If you are claiming Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance you will get forms to claim Housing Benefit with your claim pack. If you need a form you can get one from your local council Housing Benefit office.

In order to process your claim the council will also need your tenancy agreement, proof of your identity (eg, your birth certificate) and proof of your income (eg, wage slip or benefits book).

It is very important to complete the form quickly as any delay may mean you lose benefit. You will need to tell the Housing Benefit Office if any of your circumstances change.

If you are a council tenant, your council will pay any Housing Benefit straight into your rent account.

If you're not a council tenant, your Housing Benefit will be paid to you:

By cheque
By direct payment into your bank or building society account

For more information

Gateshead Council Benefit Enquiries
Civic Centre
Regent Street
Gateshead NE8 1HH
Telephone 0191 433 4646

Newcastle City Council Benefits Department
PO Box 1UP
Newcastle upon Tyne NE99 1UP
Telephone 0845 111 4101

North Tyneside Council Contact Centre
Telephone 0845 200 0104

South Tyneside Council Customer Contact Centre
Westoe Road
South Shields NE33 2RL
Telephone 0191 424 4333

Sunderland City Council
Freephone 0800 633 5853