I have been living in a council house and claiming Housing Benefit for a number of years. As well as my partner, I did have two children living with me, one 16 and the other 17, but the oldest has now left home. My house has three bedrooms. What is the reduction in Housing Benefit for having one spare bedroom?

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

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 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

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

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 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

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

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 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

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.


My partner and i are foster parents to our lovely 6 years  old girl who lost her parents during iraq war. We have taken a personal intiative to acqure more skills on how to give our girl the best foster care through training . Will we be eligible for a paid leave  from work during foster care training?

You do not have a statutory right to time off work to care for foster children.

Help and support for foster parents

Training and development

You need to complete the training, support, and development standards workbook within 12 months of being approved to foster.

Contact your fostering service to find out what other training and development is available. They should help you:

with a personal development plan

take part in learning and development sessions

The Foster Carers’ Charter explains your rights as a foster parent.

If you’re fostering for adoption you’ll be entitled to adoption pay and leave from when the child comes to live with you.

If you’re considering fostering, find out about becoming a foster parent.

Help with the cost of fostering

All foster parents get a foster care allowance to help cover the cost of caring for a child. You might get additional payments, depending on:

if the child has specific needs

how many children you’re fostering

your skills and experience

your fostering service

Contact your fostering service to find out how much you get.

Minimum weekly allowance

The minimum allowance you’ll get depends on where you live and the age of the child you care for.

| Age 0 to 2 | Age 3 to 4 | Age 5 to 10 | Age 11 to 15 | Age 16 to 17

London | £155 | £158 | £177 | £201 | £235

South East | £149 | £153 | £169 | £193 | £226

Rest of England | £134 | £138 | £152 | £173 | £202

These figures are for the tax year from 6 April 2021 to 5 April 2022. They’re updated every April.

Allowance rates when the child is 18

Children stop being in care when they reach 18, even if they’re still living with you. There is no minimum allowance when your child is old enough to leave foster care.

Contact your fostering service for more information.

Expenses

You may be able to apply to your fostering service for extra money to help with things like:

school trips

holidays

birthdays

religious festivals

Tax arrangements

You should have registered as self-employed when you started to foster. You’ll need to file tax returns. Check with your fostering service what you need to do.

In your tax return, you’ll be able to claim:

a tax exemption of up to £10,000 per household

tax relief for every week you foster a child

This is known as qualifying care relief.

You may be entitled to National Insurance credits, which count towards your State Pension.

Tax exemption

In a tax year, households do not pay tax on the first £10,000 they earn from fostering. You’ll still pay tax on money you earn from a job or investment.

Tax relief

On top of the £10,000 exemption, you also get tax relief for every week (or part week) that a child is in your care. This means you do not have to pay tax on some of your earnings over £10,000.

Age of child | Tax relief

Under 11 | £200 per child

11 or over | £250 per child

Claiming benefits

Being a foster parent can affect your benefits. Check a benefits calculator to see what you’re eligible for.

If you’re claiming benefits you need to tell the organisation that pays you that you’re also getting a foster care allowance.

You can get disability benefits for your foster child if they meet the criteria. You may also be able to claim Carer’s Allowance if your foster child gets Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment.

For more help on how your benefits may change you can speak to an adviser from:

the organisation that pays you

Fosterline - a free fostering advice service

Making decisions for your foster child

Your foster child’s placement plan should tell you what decisions you can make, known as delegated authority.

There are 3 different levels to delegated authority:

day-to-day decisions like dental check ups, hair cuts, school trips, parent-teacher meetings and letting your child go to sleepovers

long-term decisions like which school a child goes to

significant decisions made by the local authority and birth parents, like surgery

If your child’s placement plan does not tell you what level of delegated authority you have you should contact your fostering service to find out.

You may not have the same level of authority for each child you foster. For example, you might foster 2 children and have the right to sign a consent form for one of them.

Going on holiday

If you do not have the authority to take your foster child on holiday you’ll need to speak to their social worker.

You’ll also need to:

tell your child’s social worker when you’ll be going and when you’ll be back

get a letter of consent from your child’s social worker for passport control (if you’re going abroad)

Medical treatment for your foster child

You may not have the right to give consent to medical treatment. Check your child placement plan to find out if you have the authority to let your foster child have:

medication

a medical examination

local or general anaesthetic

surgery

Getting support

You should get support from your fostering service, your local council and social workers. You can also get support and advice from Fosterline.

Your local council must provide your foster child with a personal adviser from age 16 or 17 to age 25. They will help your foster child move to independent living or support them to stay with you (this is called a ‘staying put’ arrangement).

Extra support is available when your foster child reaches age 16, 18 and 21.

Support from your fostering service

Your foster child gets a placement plan. This tells you about the child and their needs. The fostering service should invite you to meetings on your foster child’s progress and placement plan.

Your family should get:

access to an out of hours advice and support service

access to support groups

practical, financial and emotional support

training and a personal development plan, which is reviewed every year

an opportunity to take a break from fostering if you need it

Dealing with allegations

If an allegation is made against you or anyone in your home, your local authority must:

investigate it

support you through it

update you on progress

help resolve any disagreements

They may remove your foster child from your home or ask the person the allegation is about to leave. They will also look at the safety of any other children in your home.

Support from social workers

You’ll have contact with 2 social workers:

your foster child’s social worker - they make sure you meet the child’s needs

a supervising social worker to help and support you as a foster parent

Your supervising social worker is there to support you as a foster parent. Contact them if you need:

emotional support

to talk about any concerns or worries you have about your foster child

help to develop your skills as a foster parent

Your social workers must make sure you understand their policies on fostering, including:

how to manage your foster child’s behaviour

financial support for foster parents

complaints

They must review your approval to foster at least once a year to make sure you’re still suitable.

Social workers may decide to have some meetings without you if they think it’s best for the foster child.

Social worker visits

Your child’s social worker must visit you and your foster child:

in the first week the child comes to live with you

once every 6 weeks in the first year

every 3 to 6 months after the child has lived with you for a year

They must also visit you once a year without telling you they’re coming.

You or your foster child can ask for more visits from the social worker.

Ending a placement

You must give 28 days’ notice to your social worker if you no longer wish to be the child’s foster parent.

Support from Fosterline

Call Fosterline for free to get advice on fostering.

They can provide help and advice about fostering, including information about:

finances

training

dealing with allegations

Help and support for foster parents

Training and development

with a personal development plan

take part in learning and development sessions

The Foster Carers’ Charter explains your rights as a foster parent.

You do not have a statutory right to time off work to care for foster children.

If you’re considering fostering, find out about becoming a foster parent.

Help with the cost of fostering

if the child has specific needs

how many children you’re fostering

your skills and experience

your fostering service

Contact your fostering service to find out how much you get.

Minimum weekly allowance

| Age 0 to 2 | Age 3 to 4 | Age 5 to 10 | Age 11 to 15 | Age 16 to 17

London | £155 | £158 | £177 | £201 | £235

South East | £149 | £153 | £169 | £193 | £226

Rest of England | £134 | £138 | £152 | £173 | £202

Allowance rates when the child is 18

Contact your fostering service for more information.

Expenses

school trips

holidays

birthdays

religious festivals

Tax arrangements

In your tax return, you’ll be able to claim:

a tax exemption of up to £10,000 per household

tax relief for every week you foster a child

This is known as qualifying care relief.

Tax exemption

Tax relief

Age of child | Tax relief

Under 11 | £200 per child

11 or over | £250 per child

Claiming benefits

For more help on how your benefits may change you can speak to an adviser from:

the organisation that pays you

Fosterline - a free fostering advice service

Making decisions for your foster child

There are 3 different levels to delegated authority:

long-term decisions like which school a child goes to

significant decisions made by the local authority and birth parents, like surgery

Going on holiday

You’ll also need to:

tell your child’s social worker when you’ll be going and when you’ll be back

Medical treatment for your foster child

medication

a medical examination

local or general anaesthetic

surgery

Getting support

Extra support is available when your foster child reaches age 16, 18 and 21.

Support from your fostering service

Your family should get:

access to an out of hours advice and support service

access to support groups

practical, financial and emotional support

training and a personal development plan, which is reviewed every year

an opportunity to take a break from fostering if you need it

Dealing with allegations

investigate it

support you through it

update you on progress

help resolve any disagreements

Support from social workers

You’ll have contact with 2 social workers:

your foster child’s social worker - they make sure you meet the child’s needs

a supervising social worker to help and support you as a foster parent

emotional support

to talk about any concerns or worries you have about your foster child

help to develop your skills as a foster parent

how to manage your foster child’s behaviour

financial support for foster parents

complaints

Social worker visits

Your child’s social worker must visit you and your foster child:

in the first week the child comes to live with you

once every 6 weeks in the first year

every 3 to 6 months after the child has lived with you for a year

They must also visit you once a year without telling you they’re coming.

You or your foster child can ask for more visits from the social worker.

Ending a placement

Support from Fosterline

Call Fosterline for free to get advice on fostering.

They can provide help and advice about fostering, including information about:

finances

training

dealing with allegations