Free Guidance
Housing Benefit: Help With Your Rent
Last updated: April 2026 · Reviewed by: Silverwings Benefits Team · Source: GOV.UK
Housing Benefit helps cover rent for people in certain circumstances — most commonly people over State Pension age, or those in supported or temporary accommodation. Silverwings can help you check your eligibility and work through the application.
Silverwings Benefits Ltd is an independent, paid-for service — we are not the DWP, HMRC, your local council, or any government department, and we have no affiliation with any of them. You can apply for Housing Benefit yourself, for free, on the official GOV.UK Housing Benefit page. Free help is also available from Citizens Advice or Turn2us.
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The Basics
Working age
Largely replaced by Universal Credit for working-age renters
If you’re working age, you’ll usually need to claim the housing element of Universal Credit rather than new Housing Benefit.
State Pension age
Still available past State Pension age
People over State Pension age who need help with rent generally still claim Housing Benefit rather than Universal Credit.
Supported or temporary
Also available in supported or temporary accommodation
Some people in supported housing, temporary accommodation, or certain care settings can still claim Housing Benefit regardless of age.
Why So Many People Never Even Think About This
Housing Benefit is one of the most-missed parts of the benefit cascade — because it's the fourth link in a chain most people never realise exists. Someone gets Attendance Allowance, later finds out it raised their Pension Credit, and stops there — never checking whether it also unlocked help with rent.
- 1Attendance Allowance
- 2Pension Credit
- 3Council Tax Reduction
- 4Housing Benefit
If you rent your home and receive — or start receiving — Pension Credit, it is always worth checking Housing Benefit too. It doesn't happen automatically, and it's a completely separate claim from Council Tax Reduction, even though both are usually handled by the same local council department.
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Every benefit we help with can be applied for yourself, completely free, or with free help from a charity. Nobody has to pay to claim what they’re entitled to — that’s always your choice.
Housing Benefit: frequently asked questions
Can I still claim Housing Benefit if I am working age?
Usually not for a brand new claim — most working-age renters need to claim the housing element of Universal Credit instead. Exceptions include some people in supported or temporary accommodation.
Does Pension Credit affect my Housing Benefit?
Getting Pension Credit, especially Guarantee Credit, can significantly increase — or create — an entitlement to Housing Benefit if you rent your home. It still needs to be claimed separately.
Is Housing Benefit means-tested?
Yes. How much you get depends on your income, savings, who lives with you, and your eligible rent, similar to Council Tax Reduction.
Can I get Housing Benefit and Universal Credit at the same time?
Generally no — they cover the same need (help with rent) so you would not usually get both together. Which one applies to you depends mainly on your age and circumstances.
Your Route to Claiming It
- 1
Do it yourself, free — apply directly through your local council. No cost, no obligation.
- 2
Free charitable help — Citizens Advice and Age UK can also help you apply at no cost.
- 3
Let us handle the whole spread — Housing Benefit is one of the four benefits most of our clients end up eligible for once Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit are in place. We check the full picture across all of them, so nothing gets left on the table.
Because eligibility depends heavily on your age and housing situation, the clearest first step is a quick check. Our free Benefits Guide can help you work out whether Housing Benefit or Universal Credit's housing element is the right route for you.