Housing Benefit
What is housing benefit?
Housing Benefit is a benefit paid to householders to assist with their payment of rent. It is a means tested benefit administered by Harrogate Borough Council on behalf of the Government. Subject to individual circumstances claimants may receive up to 100% assistance.
When Housing Benefit is received by private tenants it is called "rent allowance" and when received by council tenants it is known as "rent rebate". Although the names may be different, the benefits are the same. From 07 April 2008 there were changes to Housing Benefit for private tenants when a scheme called Local Housing Allowance was introduced. For further information, please visit our
Local Housing Allowance section.
The information contained on this site is provided for guidance only, it does not cover all the benefit rules for every situation, nor does it provide a full interpretation of the rules. It should not be treated as a complete and authoritative statement of the law. In order to be fully considered for Housing Benefit, you need to make a claim.
Who can claim it?
To be entitled to make a claim for Housing Benefit you have to satisfy four basic conditions:
- You must be resident in the property.
- You must occupy the dwelling as your home.
- You must be required to pay rent for the dwelling.
- You must either be entitled to Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Income Related Employment Support Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee or, if you are not receiving these, you must have a low income.
You cannot claim Housing Benefit if you live in the same household as a close relative and you pay rent to them.
If you have savings, capital or investments with a value in excess of £16,000, you will not qualify for benefit. (unless you are getting Pension Credit - Guarantee).
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