Apply for Housing Benefit
If you can claim Universal Credit
If you're eligible to claim Universal Credit for help with your housing costs, you can't claim Housing Benefit.
Find out if you can claim Universal Credit.
If you can't claim Universal Credit
If you're not eligible for Universal Credit and your household is on a lower income, you can apply for Housing Benefit to help with your rent.
You could get Housing Benefit if:
- you pay rent to live in your home
- your household’s income and capital are below a certain level
You can get help with rent for private or social housing, and you can claim even if you are working or self-employed.
Apply online
The easiest way to claim Housing Benefit is to apply online.
Other ways to claim
You can also:
- claim when you’re applying for a benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions
- visit any of our Customer Service Centres to collect a form and get help filling it in
However you claim, we’ll need to see proof of your identity and your National Insurance number (and proof for your partner, if you have one). We may also ask you for other evidence depending on your circumstances, such as:
- proof of your rent
- proof of your income, including benefits, pensions and earnings
- proof of your savings, if you have more than £5,500
You can send scans or photos of your evidence by email to benefits@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
Help with your claim
If you need help filling in your claim form, you can call 0300 300 8306 or email customers@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk for advice.
If a friend or relative helps you with your form, you will still be responsible for the information they have filled in, so you must make sure that their answers are correct.
If a claimant is unable to manage their own affairs relating to Housing Benefit, someone can be appointed to act on their behalf. The appointee accepts full responsibility for the claim. Download our appointee form for more information.