Housing Benefit
The Community Housing Group - Incorporating Wyre Forest Community Housing - Saturday November 22, 2008
Applying for Housing Benefit...
What is Housing Benefit?
Housing Benefit is a government scheme administered by Wyre Forest District Council to help you pay for your rent and council tax to a private landlord or landlady, including housing associations and sheltered homes.
Can I claim Housing Benefit?
You can claim Housing Benefit if:
- you are on Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance or
- you are on a low income
You cannot get Housing Benefit if:
- you, or your partner between you, have more than £16,000 in savings. A partner is someone you are married to, or someone you live with as if you are married to them.
- you pay rent to a close relative who lives in the same home as you.
- you own the place where you live.
A guide for tenants who want to apply for Housing Benefit. (PDF opens in new window)
How do I claim?
If you claim Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance the Department for Work and Pensions will give you form HCTB1 (PDF opens in new window) for you to claim Housing Benefit.
If you have not claimed, or cannot have, Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance
You can claim Benefit if you are on a low income. You need to fill in the application form for Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit. (PDF opens in new window) You can claim Council Tax Benefit on the same form.
Claiming Housing Benefit and Council Tax for Guidance Notes (PDF opens in new window)
After you have filled in the form, you will need to send it to Wyre Forest District Council as soon as you can. Their address is on the form. If you do not send it quickly, you could lose benefit.
Couples
If you are married, or living with someone as if you are married to them, you only need to fill in one claim form. You need to tell us about the money you both have.
