Housing Benefit helps people on a low income to pay their rent. You can claim it if you rent your main home from us, a housing association or a private landlord.
With the introduction of Universal Credit, Housing Benefit is not now available to all residents, depending on your circumstances you might need to claim Universal Credit instead. Please click on the 'Universal Credit' link below for further information.
www.runnymede.gov.uk/universalcredit
If you rent from a shared ownership scheme or live in a hostel, hotel or mobile home you can still apply. To see if you are eligible, we will look at you and your partner's joint income and capital, taking into account who lives with you.
Housing Benefit cannot help with mortgage repayments, however the Department for Work and Pensions can offer support for mortgage interest in certain circumstances.
You can't usually claim Housing Benefit if you:
- live with and pay rent to a close relative
- used to live with your landlord as a member of your family
- are renting a home you used to share with an ex-partner
- are responsible for the landlord's child
- used to own the property which you now rent
- live in the home as part of your job
- live in a care home
- are a full-time student
- have savings of £16,000 or more, unless you or your partner receives Pension Credit Guarantee.
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