My wife and I are both in receipt of the state pension, living in rented council accommodation and struggling with our rent. Both of our adult sons are away at university, so in theory we have two spare bedrooms, which I understand will reduce the amount of housing benefit we can receive. By how much will our housing benefit be reduced?

How much you get depends on:

Housing Benefit

Eligibility

Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits. It’s being replaced by Universal Credit.

You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if either of the following apply:

you have reached State Pension age

you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

You’ve reached State Pension age

If you’re single you can make a new claim for Housing Benefit.

If you’re over State Pension age and live with your partner

You can make a new claim for Housing Benefit if any of the following apply:

you and your partner have both reached State Pension age

one of you has reached State Pension age and started claiming Pension Credit (for you as a couple) before 15 May 2019

If you’re over State Pension age and have an existing claim

Your existing claim will not be affected if, before 15 May 2019, you:

were getting Housing Benefit

had reached State Pension age

It does not matter if your partner is under State Pension age.

If your circumstances change and your Housing Benefit is stopped, you cannot start getting it again unless you and your partner are eligible to make a new claim.

You can apply for Universal Credit if you’re not eligible.

If you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

You can make a new claim if:

you’re living in temporary accommodation, such as a B&B arranged by your council

you’re living in a refuge for survivors of domestic abuse

you’re living in sheltered or supported housing (such as a hostel) which provides you with ‘care, support or supervision’

If you do not get ‘care, support or supervision’ through your supported or sheltered housing, you can apply for Universal Credit to help with housing costs.

If you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing, you can apply for Universal Credit to help with other living costs.

When you may not be able to claim

Usually, you will not get Housing Benefit if:

your savings are over £16,000 - unless you get Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit

you’re paying a mortgage on your own home - you may be able to get Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

you live in the home of a close relative

you’re already claiming Universal Credit (unless you’re in temporary or supported housing)

you live with your partner and they are already claiming Housing Benefit

you’re a full-time student

you’re residing in the UK as a European Economic Area jobseeker

you’re an asylum seeker or sponsored to be in the UK

you’re subject to immigration control and your granted leave states that you cannot claim public funds

you’re a Crown Tenant

you’ve reached State Pension age but your live-in partner has not - unless you had an existing claim as a couple before 15 May 2019

You may be able to get other help with housing costs.

If not, you’ll need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Use a benefits calculator to check if you can get Housing Benefit before you apply

What you'll get

You may get help with all or part of your rent. There’s no set amount of Housing Benefit and what you get will depend on whether you rent privately or from a council.

Use a benefits calculator to work out what you could get or check what extra help is available.

Council and social housing rent

How much you get depends on:

your ‘eligible’ rent

if you have a spare room

your household income - including benefits, pensions and savings (over £6,000)

your circumstances, for example the age of people in the house or if someone has a disability

Eligible rent

Your eligible rent is the amount used to calculate your Housing Benefit claim. It’s your actual rent plus any service charges you have to pay (such as for lift maintenance or a communal laundry) but not things like heating or water costs for your home.

Spare bedrooms

Your Housing Benefit could be reduced if you live in council or social housing and have a spare  bedroom. The reduction is:

14% of the ‘eligible rent’ for 1 spare bedroom

25% of the ‘eligible rent’ for 2 or more spare bedrooms

Sharing bedrooms

The following are expected to share:

an adult couple

2 children under 16 of the same sex

2 children under 10 (regardless of sex)

The following can have their own bedroom:

a single adult (16 or over)

a child that would normally share but shared bedrooms are already taken, for example you have 3 children and 2 already share

a couple or children who cannot share because of a disability or medical condition

an overnight carer for you, your partner, your child or another adult - this is only if the carer does not live with you but sometimes has to stay overnight

One spare bedroom is allowed for:

an approved foster carer who is between placements but only for up to 52 weeks from the end of the last placement

a newly approved foster carer for up to 52 weeks from the date of approval if no child is placed with them during that time

Rooms used by students and members of the armed or reserve forces will not be counted as ‘spare’ if they’re away and intend to return home.

Private rent

If you rent privately, your eligible rent amount is either your Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate or your actual rent, whichever is lower. The LHA rate is based on:

where you live

your household size - find out how many bedrooms you’re eligible for

How much you can get

How much you get depends on:

the lower figure of your ‘eligible’ rent or LHA rate

your household income including benefits, pensions and savings (over £6,000)

your circumstances (for example your age or whether you have a disability)

Contact your local council if you’re living in:

a houseboat or a mooring

a caravan site

a room with any meals included in the rent (sometimes known as a boarding home)

a hostel

a Rent Act protected property

Exception

If you’ve been getting Housing Benefit since before 7 April 2008, these limits only apply if you:

change address

have a break in your claim for Housing Benefit

How you’re paid

The way you get paid Housing Benefit by your council depends on the type of tenant you are.

If you’re a:

council tenant, it’s paid into your rent account (you will not receive the money)

private or housing association tenant, it’s paid into your bank or building society account (rarely by cheque)

The benefit cap

The benefit cap limits the total amount of benefit you can get. It applies to most people aged 16 or over who have not reached State Pension age.

If you’re affected, your Housing Benefit will go down to make sure that the total amount of benefit you get is not more than the cap level. Use the benefit cap calculator to find out how the benefit cap affects you.

Appeal a Housing Benefit decision

Contact your local council to appeal a Housing Benefit decision.

Supporting your claim

You’ll need to provide some information and evidence to support your claim for Housing Benefit.

You’ll get Housing Benefit faster if you have this available when you make your claim.

You’ll need to know:

how much rent you pay

whether anything else is included in the rent, such as water, gas or electricity charges

if you pay any service charges, including building maintenance or insurance

your landlord or agent’s details

Special types of tenancy

If your current tenancy started in 1997 or earlier and you rent from a private landlord, you’ll need to know if you have an ‘assured tenancy’. You can check your tenancy on the Shelter website.

If you live in and pay rent for a government property (a ‘Crown Tenant’), you’re not entitled to Housing Benefit. This includes armed forces living in service family accommodation (SFA).

Evidence you’ll have to provide

You’ll need to provide original documents, not copies. The supporting evidence you’ll need includes:

your most recent payslips (5 if paid weekly, or 2 if paid monthly)

bank or building society statements for the last 2 full months

proof of other income or investments, including shares, ISAs or Premium Bonds

proof of income for any non-dependants living with you, such as adult relatives or friends

You’ll also need proof of your partner’s name and address. You cannot use the same document to prove both their name and address.

Provide any 2 of the following:

UK photocard driving licence

current passport

birth or marriage certificate

biometric residence permit

certificate of registration or naturalisation

permanent residence card

letter from HMRC or the Home Office

recent utility bill

recent bank or building society statement

recent benefit award statements

If you rent from a private landlord

You’ll also need to provide one of the following:

a tenancy agreement or rent book

a letter from your landlord confirming your tenancy - this is usually supplied at the start of your tenancy

How to claim

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Most people will need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit before you apply.

You can either apply:

through your local council

as part of a Pension Credit claim, if you’re eligible for this

You’ll need to provide evidence to support your Housing Benefit claim.

If you’re applying for Pension Credit

You can apply for Housing Benefit as part of your Pension Credit application.

Apply for Pension Credit online or contact the Pension Service to claim.

The Pension Service will send details of your claim for Housing Benefit to your council.

Claiming in advance and backdating

You can claim in advance by up to 13 weeks (or 17 weeks if you’re aged 60 or over), for example if you’re moving. You will not usually get any money before you move.

You might also be able to get your claim backdated - ask your council.

Appeal a decision

You can ask your council for a Housing Benefit decision to be reconsidered.

If you’re unhappy with the response you can appeal the decision.

Report a change of circumstances

You need to report a change of circumstances for you and anyone else in your house.

Your claim might be stopped or reduced if you do not report a change of circumstances straight away.

Changes can include:

starting or stopping work, education, training or an apprenticeship

changes to the benefits you or anyone else in your house gets

changes to your personal or workplace pension

changes to your savings, investments or property

your income going up or down

moving house

your rent going up or down

going abroad for any length of time

going into hospital, a care home or sheltered accommodation

people moving into or out of your house (for example your partner, a child or lodger)

having a baby

your partner or someone you live with dying

your child turning 18

changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen

Contact your council if you’re not sure whether you need to report a change.

How to report

Report a change of circumstances to your council.

If you receive other benefits

You need to report a change of circumstances for all benefits you receive.

If your other benefits stop

Some benefits stop if you go back to work, work more hours or earn more money.

If this happens, your council might:

give you an extra 4 weeks of housing benefit (‘Extended Payment of Housing Benefit’)

start paying you an ‘in-work Housing Benefit’

You do not have to claim - your council will decide if you’re eligible for help and write to let you know.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

Other help with housing costs

Housing Benefit will not cover heating, hot water, energy or food. If you need help, use a benefits calculator to see what else you might be entitled to.

Extra help to pay the rent

You could also apply for extra help from your council if your Housing Benefit does not cover your rent. This is called a Discretionary Housing Payment.

Help with heating costs

Check what help you can get with heating and energy costs.

if you have a spare room

Housing Benefit

Eligibility

Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits. It’s being replaced by Universal Credit.

You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if either of the following apply:

you have reached State Pension age

you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

You’ve reached State Pension age

If you’re single you can make a new claim for Housing Benefit.

If you’re over State Pension age and live with your partner

You can make a new claim for Housing Benefit if any of the following apply:

you and your partner have both reached State Pension age

one of you has reached State Pension age and started claiming Pension Credit (for you as a couple) before 15 May 2019

If you’re over State Pension age and have an existing claim

Your existing claim will not be affected if, before 15 May 2019, you:

were getting Housing Benefit

had reached State Pension age

It does not matter if your partner is under State Pension age.

You can apply for Universal Credit if you’re not eligible.

If you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

You can make a new claim if:

you’re living in temporary accommodation, such as a B&B arranged by your council

you’re living in a refuge for survivors of domestic abuse

you’re living in sheltered or supported housing (such as a hostel) which provides you with ‘care, support or supervision’

If you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing, you can apply for Universal Credit to help with other living costs.

When you may not be able to claim

Usually, you will not get Housing Benefit if:

your savings are over £16,000 - unless you get Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit

you’re paying a mortgage on your own home - you may be able to get Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

you live in the home of a close relative

you’re already claiming Universal Credit (unless you’re in temporary or supported housing)

you live with your partner and they are already claiming Housing Benefit

you’re a full-time student

you’re residing in the UK as a European Economic Area jobseeker

you’re an asylum seeker or sponsored to be in the UK

you’re subject to immigration control and your granted leave states that you cannot claim public funds

you’re a Crown Tenant

you’ve reached State Pension age but your live-in partner has not - unless you had an existing claim as a couple before 15 May 2019

You may be able to get other help with housing costs.

If not, you’ll need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Use a benefits calculator to check if you can get Housing Benefit before you apply

What you'll get

Use a benefits calculator to work out what you could get or check what extra help is available.

Council and social housing rent

How much you get depends on:

your ‘eligible’ rent

if you have a spare room

your household income - including benefits, pensions and savings (over £6,000)

your circumstances, for example the age of people in the house or if someone has a disability

Eligible rent

Spare bedrooms

Your Housing Benefit could be reduced if you live in council or social housing and have a spare  bedroom. The reduction is:

14% of the ‘eligible rent’ for 1 spare bedroom

25% of the ‘eligible rent’ for 2 or more spare bedrooms

Sharing bedrooms

The following are expected to share:

an adult couple

2 children under 16 of the same sex

2 children under 10 (regardless of sex)

The following can have their own bedroom:

a single adult (16 or over)

a child that would normally share but shared bedrooms are already taken, for example you have 3 children and 2 already share

a couple or children who cannot share because of a disability or medical condition

One spare bedroom is allowed for:

an approved foster carer who is between placements but only for up to 52 weeks from the end of the last placement

a newly approved foster carer for up to 52 weeks from the date of approval if no child is placed with them during that time

Rooms used by students and members of the armed or reserve forces will not be counted as ‘spare’ if they’re away and intend to return home.

Private rent

where you live

your household size - find out how many bedrooms you’re eligible for

How much you can get

How much you get depends on:

the lower figure of your ‘eligible’ rent or LHA rate

your household income including benefits, pensions and savings (over £6,000)

your circumstances (for example your age or whether you have a disability)

Contact your local council if you’re living in:

a houseboat or a mooring

a caravan site

a room with any meals included in the rent (sometimes known as a boarding home)

a hostel

a Rent Act protected property

Exception

If you’ve been getting Housing Benefit since before 7 April 2008, these limits only apply if you:

change address

have a break in your claim for Housing Benefit

How you’re paid

The way you get paid Housing Benefit by your council depends on the type of tenant you are.

If you’re a:

council tenant, it’s paid into your rent account (you will not receive the money)

private or housing association tenant, it’s paid into your bank or building society account (rarely by cheque)

The benefit cap

Appeal a Housing Benefit decision

Contact your local council to appeal a Housing Benefit decision.

Supporting your claim

You’ll need to provide some information and evidence to support your claim for Housing Benefit.

You’ll get Housing Benefit faster if you have this available when you make your claim.

You’ll need to know:

how much rent you pay

whether anything else is included in the rent, such as water, gas or electricity charges

if you pay any service charges, including building maintenance or insurance

your landlord or agent’s details

Special types of tenancy

Evidence you’ll have to provide

You’ll need to provide original documents, not copies. The supporting evidence you’ll need includes:

your most recent payslips (5 if paid weekly, or 2 if paid monthly)

bank or building society statements for the last 2 full months

proof of other income or investments, including shares, ISAs or Premium Bonds

proof of income for any non-dependants living with you, such as adult relatives or friends

You’ll also need proof of your partner’s name and address. You cannot use the same document to prove both their name and address.

Provide any 2 of the following:

UK photocard driving licence

current passport

birth or marriage certificate

biometric residence permit

certificate of registration or naturalisation

permanent residence card

letter from HMRC or the Home Office

recent utility bill

recent bank or building society statement

recent benefit award statements

If you rent from a private landlord

You’ll also need to provide one of the following:

a tenancy agreement or rent book

a letter from your landlord confirming your tenancy - this is usually supplied at the start of your tenancy

How to claim

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Most people will need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit before you apply.

You can either apply:

through your local council

as part of a Pension Credit claim, if you’re eligible for this

You’ll need to provide evidence to support your Housing Benefit claim.

If you’re applying for Pension Credit

You can apply for Housing Benefit as part of your Pension Credit application.

Apply for Pension Credit online or contact the Pension Service to claim.

The Pension Service will send details of your claim for Housing Benefit to your council.

Claiming in advance and backdating

You might also be able to get your claim backdated - ask your council.

Appeal a decision

You can ask your council for a Housing Benefit decision to be reconsidered.

If you’re unhappy with the response you can appeal the decision.

Report a change of circumstances

You need to report a change of circumstances for you and anyone else in your house.

Your claim might be stopped or reduced if you do not report a change of circumstances straight away.

Changes can include:

starting or stopping work, education, training or an apprenticeship

changes to the benefits you or anyone else in your house gets

changes to your personal or workplace pension

changes to your savings, investments or property

your income going up or down

moving house

your rent going up or down

going abroad for any length of time

going into hospital, a care home or sheltered accommodation

people moving into or out of your house (for example your partner, a child or lodger)

having a baby

your partner or someone you live with dying

your child turning 18

changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen

Contact your council if you’re not sure whether you need to report a change.

How to report

Report a change of circumstances to your council.

If you receive other benefits

You need to report a change of circumstances for all benefits you receive.

If your other benefits stop

Some benefits stop if you go back to work, work more hours or earn more money.

If this happens, your council might:

give you an extra 4 weeks of housing benefit (‘Extended Payment of Housing Benefit’)

start paying you an ‘in-work Housing Benefit’

You do not have to claim - your council will decide if you’re eligible for help and write to let you know.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

Other help with housing costs

Extra help to pay the rent

Help with heating costs

Check what help you can get with heating and energy costs.

Your Housing Benefit could be reduced if you live in council or social housing and have a spare  bedroom. The reduction is:

Housing Benefit

Eligibility

Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits. It’s being replaced by Universal Credit.

You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if either of the following apply:

you have reached State Pension age

you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

You’ve reached State Pension age

If you’re single you can make a new claim for Housing Benefit.

If you’re over State Pension age and live with your partner

You can make a new claim for Housing Benefit if any of the following apply:

you and your partner have both reached State Pension age

one of you has reached State Pension age and started claiming Pension Credit (for you as a couple) before 15 May 2019

If you’re over State Pension age and have an existing claim

Your existing claim will not be affected if, before 15 May 2019, you:

were getting Housing Benefit

had reached State Pension age

It does not matter if your partner is under State Pension age.

You can apply for Universal Credit if you’re not eligible.

If you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

You can make a new claim if:

you’re living in temporary accommodation, such as a B&B arranged by your council

you’re living in a refuge for survivors of domestic abuse

you’re living in sheltered or supported housing (such as a hostel) which provides you with ‘care, support or supervision’

If you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing, you can apply for Universal Credit to help with other living costs.

When you may not be able to claim

Usually, you will not get Housing Benefit if:

your savings are over £16,000 - unless you get Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit

you’re paying a mortgage on your own home - you may be able to get Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

you live in the home of a close relative

you’re already claiming Universal Credit (unless you’re in temporary or supported housing)

you live with your partner and they are already claiming Housing Benefit

you’re a full-time student

you’re residing in the UK as a European Economic Area jobseeker

you’re an asylum seeker or sponsored to be in the UK

you’re subject to immigration control and your granted leave states that you cannot claim public funds

you’re a Crown Tenant

you’ve reached State Pension age but your live-in partner has not - unless you had an existing claim as a couple before 15 May 2019

You may be able to get other help with housing costs.

If not, you’ll need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Use a benefits calculator to check if you can get Housing Benefit before you apply

What you'll get

Use a benefits calculator to work out what you could get or check what extra help is available.

Council and social housing rent

How much you get depends on:

your ‘eligible’ rent

if you have a spare room

your household income - including benefits, pensions and savings (over £6,000)

your circumstances, for example the age of people in the house or if someone has a disability

Eligible rent

Spare bedrooms

Your Housing Benefit could be reduced if you live in council or social housing and have a spare  bedroom. The reduction is:

14% of the ‘eligible rent’ for 1 spare bedroom

25% of the ‘eligible rent’ for 2 or more spare bedrooms

Sharing bedrooms

The following are expected to share:

an adult couple

2 children under 16 of the same sex

2 children under 10 (regardless of sex)

The following can have their own bedroom:

a single adult (16 or over)

a child that would normally share but shared bedrooms are already taken, for example you have 3 children and 2 already share

a couple or children who cannot share because of a disability or medical condition

One spare bedroom is allowed for:

an approved foster carer who is between placements but only for up to 52 weeks from the end of the last placement

a newly approved foster carer for up to 52 weeks from the date of approval if no child is placed with them during that time

Rooms used by students and members of the armed or reserve forces will not be counted as ‘spare’ if they’re away and intend to return home.

Private rent

where you live

your household size - find out how many bedrooms you’re eligible for

How much you can get

How much you get depends on:

the lower figure of your ‘eligible’ rent or LHA rate

your household income including benefits, pensions and savings (over £6,000)

your circumstances (for example your age or whether you have a disability)

Contact your local council if you’re living in:

a houseboat or a mooring

a caravan site

a room with any meals included in the rent (sometimes known as a boarding home)

a hostel

a Rent Act protected property

Exception

If you’ve been getting Housing Benefit since before 7 April 2008, these limits only apply if you:

change address

have a break in your claim for Housing Benefit

How you’re paid

The way you get paid Housing Benefit by your council depends on the type of tenant you are.

If you’re a:

council tenant, it’s paid into your rent account (you will not receive the money)

private or housing association tenant, it’s paid into your bank or building society account (rarely by cheque)

The benefit cap

Appeal a Housing Benefit decision

Contact your local council to appeal a Housing Benefit decision.

Supporting your claim

You’ll need to provide some information and evidence to support your claim for Housing Benefit.

You’ll get Housing Benefit faster if you have this available when you make your claim.

You’ll need to know:

how much rent you pay

whether anything else is included in the rent, such as water, gas or electricity charges

if you pay any service charges, including building maintenance or insurance

your landlord or agent’s details

Special types of tenancy

Evidence you’ll have to provide

You’ll need to provide original documents, not copies. The supporting evidence you’ll need includes:

your most recent payslips (5 if paid weekly, or 2 if paid monthly)

bank or building society statements for the last 2 full months

proof of other income or investments, including shares, ISAs or Premium Bonds

proof of income for any non-dependants living with you, such as adult relatives or friends

You’ll also need proof of your partner’s name and address. You cannot use the same document to prove both their name and address.

Provide any 2 of the following:

UK photocard driving licence

current passport

birth or marriage certificate

biometric residence permit

certificate of registration or naturalisation

permanent residence card

letter from HMRC or the Home Office

recent utility bill

recent bank or building society statement

recent benefit award statements

If you rent from a private landlord

You’ll also need to provide one of the following:

a tenancy agreement or rent book

a letter from your landlord confirming your tenancy - this is usually supplied at the start of your tenancy

How to claim

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Most people will need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit before you apply.

You can either apply:

through your local council

as part of a Pension Credit claim, if you’re eligible for this

You’ll need to provide evidence to support your Housing Benefit claim.

If you’re applying for Pension Credit

You can apply for Housing Benefit as part of your Pension Credit application.

Apply for Pension Credit online or contact the Pension Service to claim.

The Pension Service will send details of your claim for Housing Benefit to your council.

Claiming in advance and backdating

You might also be able to get your claim backdated - ask your council.

Appeal a decision

You can ask your council for a Housing Benefit decision to be reconsidered.

If you’re unhappy with the response you can appeal the decision.

Report a change of circumstances

You need to report a change of circumstances for you and anyone else in your house.

Your claim might be stopped or reduced if you do not report a change of circumstances straight away.

Changes can include:

starting or stopping work, education, training or an apprenticeship

changes to the benefits you or anyone else in your house gets

changes to your personal or workplace pension

changes to your savings, investments or property

your income going up or down

moving house

your rent going up or down

going abroad for any length of time

going into hospital, a care home or sheltered accommodation

people moving into or out of your house (for example your partner, a child or lodger)

having a baby

your partner or someone you live with dying

your child turning 18

changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen

Contact your council if you’re not sure whether you need to report a change.

How to report

Report a change of circumstances to your council.

If you receive other benefits

You need to report a change of circumstances for all benefits you receive.

If your other benefits stop

Some benefits stop if you go back to work, work more hours or earn more money.

If this happens, your council might:

give you an extra 4 weeks of housing benefit (‘Extended Payment of Housing Benefit’)

start paying you an ‘in-work Housing Benefit’

You do not have to claim - your council will decide if you’re eligible for help and write to let you know.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

Other help with housing costs

Extra help to pay the rent

Help with heating costs

Check what help you can get with heating and energy costs.

14% of the ‘eligible rent’ for 1 spare bedroom

Housing Benefit

Eligibility

Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits. It’s being replaced by Universal Credit.

You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if either of the following apply:

you have reached State Pension age

you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

You’ve reached State Pension age

If you’re single you can make a new claim for Housing Benefit.

If you’re over State Pension age and live with your partner

You can make a new claim for Housing Benefit if any of the following apply:

you and your partner have both reached State Pension age

one of you has reached State Pension age and started claiming Pension Credit (for you as a couple) before 15 May 2019

If you’re over State Pension age and have an existing claim

Your existing claim will not be affected if, before 15 May 2019, you:

were getting Housing Benefit

had reached State Pension age

It does not matter if your partner is under State Pension age.

You can apply for Universal Credit if you’re not eligible.

If you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

You can make a new claim if:

you’re living in temporary accommodation, such as a B&B arranged by your council

you’re living in a refuge for survivors of domestic abuse

you’re living in sheltered or supported housing (such as a hostel) which provides you with ‘care, support or supervision’

If you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing, you can apply for Universal Credit to help with other living costs.

When you may not be able to claim

Usually, you will not get Housing Benefit if:

your savings are over £16,000 - unless you get Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit

you’re paying a mortgage on your own home - you may be able to get Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

you live in the home of a close relative

you’re already claiming Universal Credit (unless you’re in temporary or supported housing)

you live with your partner and they are already claiming Housing Benefit

you’re a full-time student

you’re residing in the UK as a European Economic Area jobseeker

you’re an asylum seeker or sponsored to be in the UK

you’re subject to immigration control and your granted leave states that you cannot claim public funds

you’re a Crown Tenant

you’ve reached State Pension age but your live-in partner has not - unless you had an existing claim as a couple before 15 May 2019

You may be able to get other help with housing costs.

If not, you’ll need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Use a benefits calculator to check if you can get Housing Benefit before you apply

What you'll get

Use a benefits calculator to work out what you could get or check what extra help is available.

Council and social housing rent

How much you get depends on:

your ‘eligible’ rent

if you have a spare room

your household income - including benefits, pensions and savings (over £6,000)

your circumstances, for example the age of people in the house or if someone has a disability

Eligible rent

Spare bedrooms

Your Housing Benefit could be reduced if you live in council or social housing and have a spare  bedroom. The reduction is:

14% of the ‘eligible rent’ for 1 spare bedroom

25% of the ‘eligible rent’ for 2 or more spare bedrooms

Sharing bedrooms

The following are expected to share:

an adult couple

2 children under 16 of the same sex

2 children under 10 (regardless of sex)

The following can have their own bedroom:

a single adult (16 or over)

a child that would normally share but shared bedrooms are already taken, for example you have 3 children and 2 already share

a couple or children who cannot share because of a disability or medical condition

One spare bedroom is allowed for:

an approved foster carer who is between placements but only for up to 52 weeks from the end of the last placement

a newly approved foster carer for up to 52 weeks from the date of approval if no child is placed with them during that time

Rooms used by students and members of the armed or reserve forces will not be counted as ‘spare’ if they’re away and intend to return home.

Private rent

where you live

your household size - find out how many bedrooms you’re eligible for

How much you can get

How much you get depends on:

the lower figure of your ‘eligible’ rent or LHA rate

your household income including benefits, pensions and savings (over £6,000)

your circumstances (for example your age or whether you have a disability)

Contact your local council if you’re living in:

a houseboat or a mooring

a caravan site

a room with any meals included in the rent (sometimes known as a boarding home)

a hostel

a Rent Act protected property

Exception

If you’ve been getting Housing Benefit since before 7 April 2008, these limits only apply if you:

change address

have a break in your claim for Housing Benefit

How you’re paid

The way you get paid Housing Benefit by your council depends on the type of tenant you are.

If you’re a:

council tenant, it’s paid into your rent account (you will not receive the money)

private or housing association tenant, it’s paid into your bank or building society account (rarely by cheque)

The benefit cap

Appeal a Housing Benefit decision

Contact your local council to appeal a Housing Benefit decision.

Supporting your claim

You’ll need to provide some information and evidence to support your claim for Housing Benefit.

You’ll get Housing Benefit faster if you have this available when you make your claim.

You’ll need to know:

how much rent you pay

whether anything else is included in the rent, such as water, gas or electricity charges

if you pay any service charges, including building maintenance or insurance

your landlord or agent’s details

Special types of tenancy

Evidence you’ll have to provide

You’ll need to provide original documents, not copies. The supporting evidence you’ll need includes:

your most recent payslips (5 if paid weekly, or 2 if paid monthly)

bank or building society statements for the last 2 full months

proof of other income or investments, including shares, ISAs or Premium Bonds

proof of income for any non-dependants living with you, such as adult relatives or friends

You’ll also need proof of your partner’s name and address. You cannot use the same document to prove both their name and address.

Provide any 2 of the following:

UK photocard driving licence

current passport

birth or marriage certificate

biometric residence permit

certificate of registration or naturalisation

permanent residence card

letter from HMRC or the Home Office

recent utility bill

recent bank or building society statement

recent benefit award statements

If you rent from a private landlord

You’ll also need to provide one of the following:

a tenancy agreement or rent book

a letter from your landlord confirming your tenancy - this is usually supplied at the start of your tenancy

How to claim

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Most people will need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit before you apply.

You can either apply:

through your local council

as part of a Pension Credit claim, if you’re eligible for this

You’ll need to provide evidence to support your Housing Benefit claim.

If you’re applying for Pension Credit

You can apply for Housing Benefit as part of your Pension Credit application.

Apply for Pension Credit online or contact the Pension Service to claim.

The Pension Service will send details of your claim for Housing Benefit to your council.

Claiming in advance and backdating

You might also be able to get your claim backdated - ask your council.

Appeal a decision

You can ask your council for a Housing Benefit decision to be reconsidered.

If you’re unhappy with the response you can appeal the decision.

Report a change of circumstances

You need to report a change of circumstances for you and anyone else in your house.

Your claim might be stopped or reduced if you do not report a change of circumstances straight away.

Changes can include:

starting or stopping work, education, training or an apprenticeship

changes to the benefits you or anyone else in your house gets

changes to your personal or workplace pension

changes to your savings, investments or property

your income going up or down

moving house

your rent going up or down

going abroad for any length of time

going into hospital, a care home or sheltered accommodation

people moving into or out of your house (for example your partner, a child or lodger)

having a baby

your partner or someone you live with dying

your child turning 18

changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen

Contact your council if you’re not sure whether you need to report a change.

How to report

Report a change of circumstances to your council.

If you receive other benefits

You need to report a change of circumstances for all benefits you receive.

If your other benefits stop

Some benefits stop if you go back to work, work more hours or earn more money.

If this happens, your council might:

give you an extra 4 weeks of housing benefit (‘Extended Payment of Housing Benefit’)

start paying you an ‘in-work Housing Benefit’

You do not have to claim - your council will decide if you’re eligible for help and write to let you know.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

Other help with housing costs

Extra help to pay the rent

Help with heating costs

Check what help you can get with heating and energy costs.

25% of the ‘eligible rent’ for 2 or more spare bedrooms

Housing Benefit

Eligibility

Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits. It’s being replaced by Universal Credit.

You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if either of the following apply:

you have reached State Pension age

you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

You’ve reached State Pension age

If you’re single you can make a new claim for Housing Benefit.

If you’re over State Pension age and live with your partner

You can make a new claim for Housing Benefit if any of the following apply:

you and your partner have both reached State Pension age

one of you has reached State Pension age and started claiming Pension Credit (for you as a couple) before 15 May 2019

If you’re over State Pension age and have an existing claim

Your existing claim will not be affected if, before 15 May 2019, you:

were getting Housing Benefit

had reached State Pension age

It does not matter if your partner is under State Pension age.

You can apply for Universal Credit if you’re not eligible.

If you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

You can make a new claim if:

you’re living in temporary accommodation, such as a B&B arranged by your council

you’re living in a refuge for survivors of domestic abuse

you’re living in sheltered or supported housing (such as a hostel) which provides you with ‘care, support or supervision’

If you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing, you can apply for Universal Credit to help with other living costs.

When you may not be able to claim

Usually, you will not get Housing Benefit if:

your savings are over £16,000 - unless you get Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit

you’re paying a mortgage on your own home - you may be able to get Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

you live in the home of a close relative

you’re already claiming Universal Credit (unless you’re in temporary or supported housing)

you live with your partner and they are already claiming Housing Benefit

you’re a full-time student

you’re residing in the UK as a European Economic Area jobseeker

you’re an asylum seeker or sponsored to be in the UK

you’re subject to immigration control and your granted leave states that you cannot claim public funds

you’re a Crown Tenant

you’ve reached State Pension age but your live-in partner has not - unless you had an existing claim as a couple before 15 May 2019

You may be able to get other help with housing costs.

If not, you’ll need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Use a benefits calculator to check if you can get Housing Benefit before you apply

What you'll get

Use a benefits calculator to work out what you could get or check what extra help is available.

Council and social housing rent

How much you get depends on:

your ‘eligible’ rent

if you have a spare room

your household income - including benefits, pensions and savings (over £6,000)

your circumstances, for example the age of people in the house or if someone has a disability

Eligible rent

Spare bedrooms

Your Housing Benefit could be reduced if you live in council or social housing and have a spare  bedroom. The reduction is:

14% of the ‘eligible rent’ for 1 spare bedroom

25% of the ‘eligible rent’ for 2 or more spare bedrooms

Sharing bedrooms

The following are expected to share:

an adult couple

2 children under 16 of the same sex

2 children under 10 (regardless of sex)

The following can have their own bedroom:

a single adult (16 or over)

a child that would normally share but shared bedrooms are already taken, for example you have 3 children and 2 already share

a couple or children who cannot share because of a disability or medical condition

One spare bedroom is allowed for:

an approved foster carer who is between placements but only for up to 52 weeks from the end of the last placement

a newly approved foster carer for up to 52 weeks from the date of approval if no child is placed with them during that time

Rooms used by students and members of the armed or reserve forces will not be counted as ‘spare’ if they’re away and intend to return home.

Private rent

where you live

your household size - find out how many bedrooms you’re eligible for

How much you can get

How much you get depends on:

the lower figure of your ‘eligible’ rent or LHA rate

your household income including benefits, pensions and savings (over £6,000)

your circumstances (for example your age or whether you have a disability)

Contact your local council if you’re living in:

a houseboat or a mooring

a caravan site

a room with any meals included in the rent (sometimes known as a boarding home)

a hostel

a Rent Act protected property

Exception

If you’ve been getting Housing Benefit since before 7 April 2008, these limits only apply if you:

change address

have a break in your claim for Housing Benefit

How you’re paid

The way you get paid Housing Benefit by your council depends on the type of tenant you are.

If you’re a:

council tenant, it’s paid into your rent account (you will not receive the money)

private or housing association tenant, it’s paid into your bank or building society account (rarely by cheque)

The benefit cap

The benefit cap limits the total amount of benefit you can get. It applies to most people aged 16 or over who have not reached State Pension age.

Appeal a Housing Benefit decision

Contact your local council to appeal a Housing Benefit decision.

Supporting your claim

You’ll need to provide some information and evidence to support your claim for Housing Benefit.

You’ll get Housing Benefit faster if you have this available when you make your claim.

You’ll need to know:

how much rent you pay

whether anything else is included in the rent, such as water, gas or electricity charges

if you pay any service charges, including building maintenance or insurance

your landlord or agent’s details

Special types of tenancy

Evidence you’ll have to provide

You’ll need to provide original documents, not copies. The supporting evidence you’ll need includes:

your most recent payslips (5 if paid weekly, or 2 if paid monthly)

bank or building society statements for the last 2 full months

proof of other income or investments, including shares, ISAs or Premium Bonds

proof of income for any non-dependants living with you, such as adult relatives or friends

You’ll also need proof of your partner’s name and address. You cannot use the same document to prove both their name and address.

Provide any 2 of the following:

UK photocard driving licence

current passport

birth or marriage certificate

biometric residence permit

certificate of registration or naturalisation

permanent residence card

letter from HMRC or the Home Office

recent utility bill

recent bank or building society statement

recent benefit award statements

If you rent from a private landlord

You’ll also need to provide one of the following:

a tenancy agreement or rent book

a letter from your landlord confirming your tenancy - this is usually supplied at the start of your tenancy

How to claim

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Most people will need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit before you apply.

You can either apply:

through your local council

as part of a Pension Credit claim, if you’re eligible for this

You’ll need to provide evidence to support your Housing Benefit claim.

If you’re applying for Pension Credit

You can apply for Housing Benefit as part of your Pension Credit application.

Apply for Pension Credit online or contact the Pension Service to claim.

The Pension Service will send details of your claim for Housing Benefit to your council.

Claiming in advance and backdating

You might also be able to get your claim backdated - ask your council.

Appeal a decision

You can ask your council for a Housing Benefit decision to be reconsidered.

If you’re unhappy with the response you can appeal the decision.

Report a change of circumstances

You need to report a change of circumstances for you and anyone else in your house.

Your claim might be stopped or reduced if you do not report a change of circumstances straight away.

Changes can include:

starting or stopping work, education, training or an apprenticeship

changes to the benefits you or anyone else in your house gets

changes to your personal or workplace pension

changes to your savings, investments or property

your income going up or down

moving house

your rent going up or down

going abroad for any length of time

going into hospital, a care home or sheltered accommodation

people moving into or out of your house (for example your partner, a child or lodger)

having a baby

your partner or someone you live with dying

your child turning 18

changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen

Contact your council if you’re not sure whether you need to report a change.

How to report

Report a change of circumstances to your council.

If you receive other benefits

You need to report a change of circumstances for all benefits you receive.

If your other benefits stop

Some benefits stop if you go back to work, work more hours or earn more money.

If this happens, your council might:

give you an extra 4 weeks of housing benefit (‘Extended Payment of Housing Benefit’)

start paying you an ‘in-work Housing Benefit’

You do not have to claim - your council will decide if you’re eligible for help and write to let you know.

If you’ve been paid too much

You may have to repay the money if you:

did not report a change straight away

gave wrong information

were overpaid by mistake

Find out how to repay the money you owe from benefit overpayment.

Other help with housing costs

Extra help to pay the rent

Help with heating costs

Check what help you can get with heating and energy costs.


My disabled 38 year old son recently passed away, I was his deputy since he was unable to manage his finances himself. He did not leave a will. How do I claim his estate?

You may need to manage a Court Funds Office account for someone if you’re their property and affairs deputy and you’re authorised by the Court of Protection to look after money on their behalf.

Deputies: manage a Court Funds Office account

Overview

Check the court order that appointed you as deputy - it tells you what you’re authorised to do.

You’ll need to apply on behalf of the person you’re deputy for to:

manage an account that was opened for them by court order, for example for money they received from a court case

open an account for them

They’ll get a special account with the Court Funds Office.

Your responsibilities

The account belongs to the person you’re deputy for. You’re the only person who can manage it on their behalf.

You must keep to your responsibilities as a deputy when you’re managing the account.

Check the court order that appointed you as deputy - it tells you the limits on what you can and cannot do with the account.

Apply

You need to apply to:

open an account for someone

manage an account for someone

You must be appointed by the Court of Protection as the person’s property and affairs deputy.

If your application is successful, you’ll be able to make withdrawals from the bank account that you run on behalf of the person whose affairs you manage.

Check the details on the court order that appointed you as deputy - you’ll need the date of the order and the case number.

Fill in form CFO A to apply for authority to make withdrawals - give your bank account details and tick the ‘New details’ box.

Attach a copy of your bank statement (less than 3 months old) or a letter from your bank to confirm your bank account details.

Fill in form CFO L to pay money in to the account at the same time as applying - attach a cheque made payable to the ‘Accountant General of the Senior Courts’.

Send forms and attachments together with a copy of the original court order that appointed you as deputy - it must have a seal.  The address is on the forms.

You’ll get a letter from the Court Funds Office within 5 working days to confirm that you’re set up to manage the account.

Your form will be returned if your application cannot be processed - you’ll be told what you can do to fix this.

Manage an account

A Court Funds Office account is called a ‘special account’ if the account holder has a deputy.

Statements

As the deputy, you’ll get statements in April or May and in October or November each year.

You can also ask for a statement at any time by contacting the Court Funds Office.

Interest and tax

Special accounts currently pay 0.1% interest. The rate is not fixed - it is set by the Lord Chancellor.

Tax is not deducted from special accounts. The person you’re deputy for must pay income tax if the interest is more than their tax allowance.

You’ll also get tax vouchers (for tax returns) with your April statement.

Change of address

Write a letter to the Court Funds Office to tell them if your address changes so you can keep getting statements and tax vouchers.

Investments

You can invest in the stock market using money from the Court Funds Office account you manage if it:

holds £10,000 or more for the person you’re deputy for

is likely to hold the money for 5 or more years

The Court Funds Office makes stock market investments in companies using the Equity Tracker Index Fund (ETIF).

Write to the Court Funds Office asking them to invest the sum you require in the ETIF.

Check the value of the ETIF on the Financial Times website.

Tax

Tax is deducted from dividends on investments. However, if the person you’re deputy for has a high income, they may need to pay more income tax on interest or dividends from the investments.

They must also pay Capital Gains Tax if their investments are sold for a difference in value that’s more than their allowance.

Deposits

You can pay money in to an account after you apply to manage the account.

Check the details on the court order that appointed you as deputy - you’ll need the date of the order and the case number.

Fill in form CFO L. You must physically sign the form - this is also known as a ‘wet signature’. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.

Write a cheque for the amount you’re paying in, payable to the ‘Accountant General of the Senior Courts’.

Attach a copy of the original court order that appointed you as deputy (it must have a seal) and send it with the form and cheque to the address on the form.

You’ll get a letter from the Court Funds Office within 5 working days to confirm that it’s processed your deposit.

Your form will be returned if your deposit cannot be processed - you’ll be told what you can do to fix this.

Withdrawals

You can set up one-off withdrawals or regular withdrawals into the bank account that you run on behalf of the person whose affairs you manage after you apply to manage the account.

You can only make a payment to another bank account (for example to a solicitor’s account to pay fees) if you have a court order from the Court of Protection saying you can do this.

You can only make withdrawals within limits set by the Court of Protection - check the court order that appointed you as deputy.

Set up payments

Check the court order that appointed you as deputy - you’ll need the date of the order and the case number to fill in payment forms.

Fill in:

form CFO P to make a one-off payment to your bank account

form CFO R to set up or change a regular payment to your bank account

form CFO 205 to make a one-off payment to another bank account

You must also fill in form CFO A if your bank account details have changed – tick the ‘amending details’ box and attach either:

a copy of a bank statement (less than 3 months old)

letter from your bank confirming your new bank account details

Send forms by post. The address is on the forms. You’ll get a confirmation letter from the Court Funds Office within 5 working days.

One-off payment to your bank account

A cheque will be paid into your bank account within 5 days. The money will take 3 working days to clear.

If you’re withdrawing money for a gift or charitable donation, fill in form CFO PG and send it with form CFO P.

Regular payment to your bank account

Use form CFO R to set up, amend, renew or stop a regular payment - tick the box on the form that applies.

Specify the number of months you want a regular payment to continue (up to 23 months).

The Court Funds Office automatically renews regular payments that are set up to continue for 23 months - you’ll get a letter to remind you 1 month before renewal.

Payment to another bank account

Ask the person or company the payment is for to sign form CFO 205. You must get a copy of a a bank statement (less than 3 months old) if you’re paying a person rather than a company.

Send it with an original copy of the court order authorising the payment – it must have a seal.

Stop managing or close an account

A new deputy can take over management of the account if you stop being a deputy or die.

You cannot hand over management of the account - only the Court of Protection can appoint a new deputy. The new deputy will then need to apply to manage the account.

You stop being a deputy

Tell the Court Funds Office in writing if you stop being a deputy - send a copy of the letter to the Office of the Public Guardian and Court of Protection.

Close an account

You cannot close a Court Funds Office yourself (for example by moving all the money into another account) unless you have a court order that authorises you to do this.

If the person you’re deputy for dies the person dealing with the estate can apply for the money in the account to be paid out. The account will be closed.

The person you're deputy for dies

Write to the Court Funds Office to tell them if the person you’re deputy for has died. Send a certified copy of the death certificate if you can get one.

You’ll need to include certain information depending on

who’s dealing with the estate

whether there’s a will

If you’re dealing with the estate

Ask for a Certificate of Funds when you write to the Court Funds Office about the death. This shows how much money is in the account and investments.

You’ll need this information to deal with the person’s tax and estate (their money, property and possessions)

If you’re not dealing with the estate

Tell the Court Funds Office who is dealing with the estate (the personal representative) and provide their contact details.

The Court Funds Office will provide the personal representative with information and the forms required to close the account.

If the person did not leave a will

If the person died without making a will and has no living relatives, the Court Funds Office will contact the Treasury Solicitor or Solicitor for the Duchy of Cornwall or Lancaster. They will deal with the person’s money, property and possessions as an unclaimed estate.

Payments for funeral expenses

The personal representative or the person who arranged the funeral can apply for funeral expenses to be paid to the funeral provider out of the account.

Fill in form CFO FE1.

Send it to the address on the form with the funeral provider’s invoice and a certified copy of the death certificate.

Funeral expenses must be in keeping with the value of the person’s estate - they cannot include payments for:

headstones

refreshments at the funeral service

Payments for inheritance tax

The personal representative can apply for inheritance tax to be paid to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) out of the account.

Fill in form CFO IHT1.

Send it to the address on the form with the completed form IHT423 and certified copies of the death certificate and any will.

Overview

Check the court order that appointed you as deputy - it tells you what you’re authorised to do.

You’ll need to apply on behalf of the person you’re deputy for to:

manage an account that was opened for them by court order, for example for money they received from a court case

open an account for them

They’ll get a special account with the Court Funds Office.

Your responsibilities

The account belongs to the person you’re deputy for. You’re the only person who can manage it on their behalf.

You must keep to your responsibilities as a deputy when you’re managing the account.

Check the court order that appointed you as deputy - it tells you the limits on what you can and cannot do with the account.

Apply

You need to apply to:

open an account for someone

manage an account for someone

You must be appointed by the Court of Protection as the person’s property and affairs deputy.

If your application is successful, you’ll be able to make withdrawals from the bank account that you run on behalf of the person whose affairs you manage.

Check the details on the court order that appointed you as deputy - you’ll need the date of the order and the case number.

Fill in form CFO A to apply for authority to make withdrawals - give your bank account details and tick the ‘New details’ box.

Attach a copy of your bank statement (less than 3 months old) or a letter from your bank to confirm your bank account details.

You’ll get a letter from the Court Funds Office within 5 working days to confirm that you’re set up to manage the account.

Your form will be returned if your application cannot be processed - you’ll be told what you can do to fix this.

Manage an account

A Court Funds Office account is called a ‘special account’ if the account holder has a deputy.

Statements

As the deputy, you’ll get statements in April or May and in October or November each year.

You can also ask for a statement at any time by contacting the Court Funds Office.

Interest and tax

Special accounts currently pay 0.1% interest. The rate is not fixed - it is set by the Lord Chancellor.

Tax is not deducted from special accounts. The person you’re deputy for must pay income tax if the interest is more than their tax allowance.

You’ll also get tax vouchers (for tax returns) with your April statement.

Change of address

Write a letter to the Court Funds Office to tell them if your address changes so you can keep getting statements and tax vouchers.

Investments

You can invest in the stock market using money from the Court Funds Office account you manage if it:

holds £10,000 or more for the person you’re deputy for

is likely to hold the money for 5 or more years

The Court Funds Office makes stock market investments in companies using the Equity Tracker Index Fund (ETIF).

Write to the Court Funds Office asking them to invest the sum you require in the ETIF.

Check the value of the ETIF on the Financial Times website.

Tax

They must also pay Capital Gains Tax if their investments are sold for a difference in value that’s more than their allowance.

Deposits

You can pay money in to an account after you apply to manage the account.

Check the details on the court order that appointed you as deputy - you’ll need the date of the order and the case number.

Fill in form CFO L. You must physically sign the form - this is also known as a ‘wet signature’. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.

Write a cheque for the amount you’re paying in, payable to the ‘Accountant General of the Senior Courts’.

You’ll get a letter from the Court Funds Office within 5 working days to confirm that it’s processed your deposit.

Your form will be returned if your deposit cannot be processed - you’ll be told what you can do to fix this.

Withdrawals

You can only make withdrawals within limits set by the Court of Protection - check the court order that appointed you as deputy.

Set up payments

Check the court order that appointed you as deputy - you’ll need the date of the order and the case number to fill in payment forms.

Fill in:

form CFO P to make a one-off payment to your bank account

form CFO R to set up or change a regular payment to your bank account

form CFO 205 to make a one-off payment to another bank account

You must also fill in form CFO A if your bank account details have changed – tick the ‘amending details’ box and attach either:

a copy of a bank statement (less than 3 months old)

letter from your bank confirming your new bank account details

Send forms by post. The address is on the forms. You’ll get a confirmation letter from the Court Funds Office within 5 working days.

One-off payment to your bank account

A cheque will be paid into your bank account within 5 days. The money will take 3 working days to clear.

If you’re withdrawing money for a gift or charitable donation, fill in form CFO PG and send it with form CFO P.

Regular payment to your bank account

Use form CFO R to set up, amend, renew or stop a regular payment - tick the box on the form that applies.

Specify the number of months you want a regular payment to continue (up to 23 months).

Payment to another bank account

Send it with an original copy of the court order authorising the payment – it must have a seal.

Stop managing or close an account

A new deputy can take over management of the account if you stop being a deputy or die.

You stop being a deputy

Close an account

If the person you’re deputy for dies the person dealing with the estate can apply for the money in the account to be paid out. The account will be closed.

The person you're deputy for dies

Write to the Court Funds Office to tell them if the person you’re deputy for has died. Send a certified copy of the death certificate if you can get one.

You’ll need to include certain information depending on

who’s dealing with the estate

whether there’s a will

If you’re dealing with the estate

Ask for a Certificate of Funds when you write to the Court Funds Office about the death. This shows how much money is in the account and investments.

You’ll need this information to deal with the person’s tax and estate (their money, property and possessions)

If you’re not dealing with the estate

Tell the Court Funds Office who is dealing with the estate (the personal representative) and provide their contact details.

The Court Funds Office will provide the personal representative with information and the forms required to close the account.

If the person did not leave a will

Payments for funeral expenses

The personal representative or the person who arranged the funeral can apply for funeral expenses to be paid to the funeral provider out of the account.

Fill in form CFO FE1.

Send it to the address on the form with the funeral provider’s invoice and a certified copy of the death certificate.

Funeral expenses must be in keeping with the value of the person’s estate - they cannot include payments for:

headstones

refreshments at the funeral service

Payments for inheritance tax

The personal representative can apply for inheritance tax to be paid to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) out of the account.

Fill in form CFO IHT1.

Send it to the address on the form with the completed form IHT423 and certified copies of the death certificate and any will.

If you’re dealing with the estate

Overview

Check the court order that appointed you as deputy - it tells you what you’re authorised to do.

You’ll need to apply on behalf of the person you’re deputy for to:

manage an account that was opened for them by court order, for example for money they received from a court case

open an account for them

They’ll get a special account with the Court Funds Office.

Your responsibilities

The account belongs to the person you’re deputy for. You’re the only person who can manage it on their behalf.

You must keep to your responsibilities as a deputy when you’re managing the account.

Check the court order that appointed you as deputy - it tells you the limits on what you can and cannot do with the account.

Apply

You need to apply to:

open an account for someone

manage an account for someone

You must be appointed by the Court of Protection as the person’s property and affairs deputy.

If your application is successful, you’ll be able to make withdrawals from the bank account that you run on behalf of the person whose affairs you manage.

Check the details on the court order that appointed you as deputy - you’ll need the date of the order and the case number.

Fill in form CFO A to apply for authority to make withdrawals - give your bank account details and tick the ‘New details’ box.

Attach a copy of your bank statement (less than 3 months old) or a letter from your bank to confirm your bank account details.

You’ll get a letter from the Court Funds Office within 5 working days to confirm that you’re set up to manage the account.

Your form will be returned if your application cannot be processed - you’ll be told what you can do to fix this.

Manage an account

A Court Funds Office account is called a ‘special account’ if the account holder has a deputy.

Statements

As the deputy, you’ll get statements in April or May and in October or November each year.

You can also ask for a statement at any time by contacting the Court Funds Office.

Interest and tax

Special accounts currently pay 0.1% interest. The rate is not fixed - it is set by the Lord Chancellor.

Tax is not deducted from special accounts. The person you’re deputy for must pay income tax if the interest is more than their tax allowance.

You’ll also get tax vouchers (for tax returns) with your April statement.

Change of address

Write a letter to the Court Funds Office to tell them if your address changes so you can keep getting statements and tax vouchers.

Investments

You can invest in the stock market using money from the Court Funds Office account you manage if it:

holds £10,000 or more for the person you’re deputy for

is likely to hold the money for 5 or more years

The Court Funds Office makes stock market investments in companies using the Equity Tracker Index Fund (ETIF).

Write to the Court Funds Office asking them to invest the sum you require in the ETIF.

Check the value of the ETIF on the Financial Times website.

Tax

They must also pay Capital Gains Tax if their investments are sold for a difference in value that’s more than their allowance.

Deposits

You can pay money in to an account after you apply to manage the account.

Check the details on the court order that appointed you as deputy - you’ll need the date of the order and the case number.

Fill in form CFO L. You must physically sign the form - this is also known as a ‘wet signature’. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.

Write a cheque for the amount you’re paying in, payable to the ‘Accountant General of the Senior Courts’.

You’ll get a letter from the Court Funds Office within 5 working days to confirm that it’s processed your deposit.

Your form will be returned if your deposit cannot be processed - you’ll be told what you can do to fix this.

Withdrawals

You can only make withdrawals within limits set by the Court of Protection - check the court order that appointed you as deputy.

Set up payments

Check the court order that appointed you as deputy - you’ll need the date of the order and the case number to fill in payment forms.

Fill in:

form CFO P to make a one-off payment to your bank account

form CFO R to set up or change a regular payment to your bank account

form CFO 205 to make a one-off payment to another bank account

You must also fill in form CFO A if your bank account details have changed – tick the ‘amending details’ box and attach either:

a copy of a bank statement (less than 3 months old)

letter from your bank confirming your new bank account details

Send forms by post. The address is on the forms. You’ll get a confirmation letter from the Court Funds Office within 5 working days.

One-off payment to your bank account

A cheque will be paid into your bank account within 5 days. The money will take 3 working days to clear.

If you’re withdrawing money for a gift or charitable donation, fill in form CFO PG and send it with form CFO P.

Regular payment to your bank account

Use form CFO R to set up, amend, renew or stop a regular payment - tick the box on the form that applies.

Specify the number of months you want a regular payment to continue (up to 23 months).

Payment to another bank account

Send it with an original copy of the court order authorising the payment – it must have a seal.

Stop managing or close an account

A new deputy can take over management of the account if you stop being a deputy or die.

You stop being a deputy

Close an account

If the person you’re deputy for dies the person dealing with the estate can apply for the money in the account to be paid out. The account will be closed.

The person you're deputy for dies

Write to the Court Funds Office to tell them if the person you’re deputy for has died. Send a certified copy of the death certificate if you can get one.

You’ll need to include certain information depending on

who’s dealing with the estate

whether there’s a will

If you’re dealing with the estate

Ask for a Certificate of Funds when you write to the Court Funds Office about the death. This shows how much money is in the account and investments.

You’ll need this information to deal with the person’s tax and estate (their money, property and possessions)

If you’re not dealing with the estate

Tell the Court Funds Office who is dealing with the estate (the personal representative) and provide their contact details.

The Court Funds Office will provide the personal representative with information and the forms required to close the account.

If the person did not leave a will

Payments for funeral expenses

The personal representative or the person who arranged the funeral can apply for funeral expenses to be paid to the funeral provider out of the account.

Fill in form CFO FE1.

Send it to the address on the form with the funeral provider’s invoice and a certified copy of the death certificate.

Funeral expenses must be in keeping with the value of the person’s estate - they cannot include payments for:

headstones

refreshments at the funeral service

Payments for inheritance tax

The personal representative can apply for inheritance tax to be paid to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) out of the account.

Fill in form CFO IHT1.

Send it to the address on the form with the completed form IHT423 and certified copies of the death certificate and any will.

Overview

Check the court order that appointed you as deputy - it tells you what you’re authorised to do.

You’ll need to apply on behalf of the person you’re deputy for to:

manage an account that was opened for them by court order, for example for money they received from a court case

open an account for them

They’ll get a special account with the Court Funds Office.

Your responsibilities

The account belongs to the person you’re deputy for. You’re the only person who can manage it on their behalf.

You must keep to your responsibilities as a deputy when you’re managing the account.

Check the court order that appointed you as deputy - it tells you the limits on what you can and cannot do with the account.

Apply

You need to apply to:

open an account for someone

manage an account for someone

You must be appointed by the Court of Protection as the person’s property and affairs deputy.

If your application is successful, you’ll be able to make withdrawals from the bank account that you run on behalf of the person whose affairs you manage.

Check the details on the court order that appointed you as deputy - you’ll need the date of the order and the case number.

Fill in form CFO A to apply for authority to make withdrawals - give your bank account details and tick the ‘New details’ box.

Attach a copy of your bank statement (less than 3 months old) or a letter from your bank to confirm your bank account details.

You’ll get a letter from the Court Funds Office within 5 working days to confirm that you’re set up to manage the account.

Your form will be returned if your application cannot be processed - you’ll be told what you can do to fix this.

Manage an account

A Court Funds Office account is called a ‘special account’ if the account holder has a deputy.

Statements

As the deputy, you’ll get statements in April or May and in October or November each year.

You can also ask for a statement at any time by contacting the Court Funds Office.

Interest and tax

Special accounts currently pay 0.1% interest. The rate is not fixed - it is set by the Lord Chancellor.

Tax is not deducted from special accounts. The person you’re deputy for must pay income tax if the interest is more than their tax allowance.

You’ll also get tax vouchers (for tax returns) with your April statement.

Change of address

Write a letter to the Court Funds Office to tell them if your address changes so you can keep getting statements and tax vouchers.

Investments

You can invest in the stock market using money from the Court Funds Office account you manage if it:

holds £10,000 or more for the person you’re deputy for

is likely to hold the money for 5 or more years

The Court Funds Office makes stock market investments in companies using the Equity Tracker Index Fund (ETIF).

Write to the Court Funds Office asking them to invest the sum you require in the ETIF.

Check the value of the ETIF on the Financial Times website.

Tax

They must also pay Capital Gains Tax if their investments are sold for a difference in value that’s more than their allowance.

Deposits

You can pay money in to an account after you apply to manage the account.

Check the details on the court order that appointed you as deputy - you’ll need the date of the order and the case number.

Fill in form CFO L. You must physically sign the form - this is also known as a ‘wet signature’. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.

Write a cheque for the amount you’re paying in, payable to the ‘Accountant General of the Senior Courts’.

You’ll get a letter from the Court Funds Office within 5 working days to confirm that it’s processed your deposit.

Your form will be returned if your deposit cannot be processed - you’ll be told what you can do to fix this.

Withdrawals

You can only make withdrawals within limits set by the Court of Protection - check the court order that appointed you as deputy.

Set up payments

Check the court order that appointed you as deputy - you’ll need the date of the order and the case number to fill in payment forms.

Fill in:

form CFO P to make a one-off payment to your bank account

form CFO R to set up or change a regular payment to your bank account

form CFO 205 to make a one-off payment to another bank account

You must also fill in form CFO A if your bank account details have changed – tick the ‘amending details’ box and attach either:

a copy of a bank statement (less than 3 months old)

letter from your bank confirming your new bank account details

Send forms by post. The address is on the forms. You’ll get a confirmation letter from the Court Funds Office within 5 working days.

One-off payment to your bank account

A cheque will be paid into your bank account within 5 days. The money will take 3 working days to clear.

If you’re withdrawing money for a gift or charitable donation, fill in form CFO PG and send it with form CFO P.

Regular payment to your bank account

Use form CFO R to set up, amend, renew or stop a regular payment - tick the box on the form that applies.

Specify the number of months you want a regular payment to continue (up to 23 months).

Payment to another bank account

Send it with an original copy of the court order authorising the payment – it must have a seal.

Stop managing or close an account

A new deputy can take over management of the account if you stop being a deputy or die.

You stop being a deputy

Close an account

If the person you’re deputy for dies the person dealing with the estate can apply for the money in the account to be paid out. The account will be closed.

The person you're deputy for dies

Write to the Court Funds Office to tell them if the person you’re deputy for has died. Send a certified copy of the death certificate if you can get one.

You’ll need to include certain information depending on

who’s dealing with the estate

whether there’s a will

If you’re dealing with the estate

Ask for a Certificate of Funds when you write to the Court Funds Office about the death. This shows how much money is in the account and investments.

You’ll need this information to deal with the person’s tax and estate (their money, property and possessions)

If you’re not dealing with the estate

Tell the Court Funds Office who is dealing with the estate (the personal representative) and provide their contact details.

The Court Funds Office will provide the personal representative with information and the forms required to close the account.

If the person did not leave a will

Payments for funeral expenses

The personal representative or the person who arranged the funeral can apply for funeral expenses to be paid to the funeral provider out of the account.

Fill in form CFO FE1.

Send it to the address on the form with the funeral provider’s invoice and a certified copy of the death certificate.

Funeral expenses must be in keeping with the value of the person’s estate - they cannot include payments for:

headstones

refreshments at the funeral service

Payments for inheritance tax

The personal representative can apply for inheritance tax to be paid to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) out of the account.

Fill in form CFO IHT1.

Send it to the address on the form with the completed form IHT423 and certified copies of the death certificate and any will.

Overview

Check the court order that appointed you as deputy - it tells you what you’re authorised to do.

You’ll need to apply on behalf of the person you’re deputy for to:

manage an account that was opened for them by court order, for example for money they received from a court case

open an account for them

They’ll get a special account with the Court Funds Office.

Your responsibilities

The account belongs to the person you’re deputy for. You’re the only person who can manage it on their behalf.

You must keep to your responsibilities as a deputy when you’re managing the account.

Check the court order that appointed you as deputy - it tells you the limits on what you can and cannot do with the account.

Apply

You need to apply to:

open an account for someone

manage an account for someone

You must be appointed by the Court of Protection as the person’s property and affairs deputy.

If your application is successful, you’ll be able to make withdrawals from the bank account that you run on behalf of the person whose affairs you manage.

Check the details on the court order that appointed you as deputy - you’ll need the date of the order and the case number.

Fill in form CFO A to apply for authority to make withdrawals - give your bank account details and tick the ‘New details’ box.

Attach a copy of your bank statement (less than 3 months old) or a letter from your bank to confirm your bank account details.

You’ll get a letter from the Court Funds Office within 5 working days to confirm that you’re set up to manage the account.

Your form will be returned if your application cannot be processed - you’ll be told what you can do to fix this.

Manage an account

A Court Funds Office account is called a ‘special account’ if the account holder has a deputy.

Statements

As the deputy, you’ll get statements in April or May and in October or November each year.

You can also ask for a statement at any time by contacting the Court Funds Office.

Interest and tax

Special accounts currently pay 0.1% interest. The rate is not fixed - it is set by the Lord Chancellor.

Tax is not deducted from special accounts. The person you’re deputy for must pay income tax if the interest is more than their tax allowance.

You’ll also get tax vouchers (for tax returns) with your April statement.

Change of address

Write a letter to the Court Funds Office to tell them if your address changes so you can keep getting statements and tax vouchers.

Investments

You can invest in the stock market using money from the Court Funds Office account you manage if it:

holds £10,000 or more for the person you’re deputy for

is likely to hold the money for 5 or more years

The Court Funds Office makes stock market investments in companies using the Equity Tracker Index Fund (ETIF).

Write to the Court Funds Office asking them to invest the sum you require in the ETIF.

Check the value of the ETIF on the Financial Times website.

Tax

They must also pay Capital Gains Tax if their investments are sold for a difference in value that’s more than their allowance.

Deposits

You can pay money in to an account after you apply to manage the account.

Check the details on the court order that appointed you as deputy - you’ll need the date of the order and the case number.

Fill in form CFO L. You must physically sign the form - this is also known as a ‘wet signature’. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.

Write a cheque for the amount you’re paying in, payable to the ‘Accountant General of the Senior Courts’.

You’ll get a letter from the Court Funds Office within 5 working days to confirm that it’s processed your deposit.

Your form will be returned if your deposit cannot be processed - you’ll be told what you can do to fix this.

Withdrawals

You can only make withdrawals within limits set by the Court of Protection - check the court order that appointed you as deputy.

Set up payments

Check the court order that appointed you as deputy - you’ll need the date of the order and the case number to fill in payment forms.

Fill in:

form CFO P to make a one-off payment to your bank account

form CFO R to set up or change a regular payment to your bank account

form CFO 205 to make a one-off payment to another bank account

You must also fill in form CFO A if your bank account details have changed – tick the ‘amending details’ box and attach either:

a copy of a bank statement (less than 3 months old)

letter from your bank confirming your new bank account details

Send forms by post. The address is on the forms. You’ll get a confirmation letter from the Court Funds Office within 5 working days.

One-off payment to your bank account

A cheque will be paid into your bank account within 5 days. The money will take 3 working days to clear.

If you’re withdrawing money for a gift or charitable donation, fill in form CFO PG and send it with form CFO P.

Regular payment to your bank account

Use form CFO R to set up, amend, renew or stop a regular payment - tick the box on the form that applies.

Specify the number of months you want a regular payment to continue (up to 23 months).

Payment to another bank account

Send it with an original copy of the court order authorising the payment – it must have a seal.

Stop managing or close an account

A new deputy can take over management of the account if you stop being a deputy or die.

You stop being a deputy

Tell the Court Funds Office in writing if you stop being a deputy - send a copy of the letter to the Office of the Public Guardian and Court of Protection.

Close an account

If the person you’re deputy for dies the person dealing with the estate can apply for the money in the account to be paid out. The account will be closed.

The person you're deputy for dies

Write to the Court Funds Office to tell them if the person you’re deputy for has died. Send a certified copy of the death certificate if you can get one.

You’ll need to include certain information depending on

who’s dealing with the estate

whether there’s a will

If you’re dealing with the estate

Ask for a Certificate of Funds when you write to the Court Funds Office about the death. This shows how much money is in the account and investments.

You’ll need this information to deal with the person’s tax and estate (their money, property and possessions)

If you’re not dealing with the estate

Tell the Court Funds Office who is dealing with the estate (the personal representative) and provide their contact details.

The Court Funds Office will provide the personal representative with information and the forms required to close the account.

If the person did not leave a will

Payments for funeral expenses

The personal representative or the person who arranged the funeral can apply for funeral expenses to be paid to the funeral provider out of the account.

Fill in form CFO FE1.

Send it to the address on the form with the funeral provider’s invoice and a certified copy of the death certificate.

Funeral expenses must be in keeping with the value of the person’s estate - they cannot include payments for:

headstones

refreshments at the funeral service

Payments for inheritance tax

The personal representative can apply for inheritance tax to be paid to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) out of the account.

Fill in form CFO IHT1.

Send it to the address on the form with the completed form IHT423 and certified copies of the death certificate and any will.