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.
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The Basics
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.
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.
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.
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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.
Attendance Allowance
Pension Credit
Council Tax Reduction
Housing 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.
Could you get more Housing Benefit?
Do you (or anyone in your household) currently receive Attendance Allowance or Pension Credit?
Quick Answers, Explained in 10 Seconds
Watch: Housing Benefit Explained
Our video guide to Housing Benefit is on the way — check back soon.
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“Outstanding service from Team Silverwings everyone so genuinely helpful I can’t recommend this Company more highly… Thank you again Silverwings Benefits With my warmest wishes to you all Maxine Kallenberg 🙏”
It is with enormous heartfelt gratitude that I must thank The wonderful Tony Ainsley for helping to change my life! It was through Tony’s help, guidance and coupled with a sense of humour when going through the forms that I was granted The Personal Attendance Allowance.
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Found silver wings by chance and thank the lucky stars we did. They explained the application in easy to comprehend terms, all sailed through with just over an hour phone call from them to guide us through the process. Although we answered honestly we thought the chances of being offered attendance allowance wouldn’t be feasible, but to our amazement all successful... yes we did pay a small percentage to them, they made our life sweeter but unexpectedly, thank you!!!
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Five Ways to Get Your Benefits Sorted
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.
Apply for Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit or any benefit directly, free, with no fee at any point.
Free, independent, one-to-one help completing benefit forms and understanding your entitlement.
A free, independent benefits calculator covering the full range of UK benefits and grants.
Free advice line and local support specifically for people over State Pension age.
Prefer to hand the form-filling to someone else? We can take care of it for you — see how our fees work.
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
Do it yourself, free — apply directly through your local council. No cost, no obligation.
Free charitable help — Citizens Advice and Age UK can also help you apply at no cost.
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.