Housing benefit
Housing benefit helps pensioners and those who live in supported (specified) accommodation and who need to make a new claim for help with their rent. It is not available for mortgage repayments.
The following affect if you can get help:
- Your income which includes your earnings, other benefits, and tax credits
- Your savings. If you have over £16,000 you cannot receive housing benefit
- The income of anyone else who lives with you such as grown up children or parents
- If you are on Universal Credit you cannot receive housing benefit. Help with your rent will be paid through housing costs as part of Universal Credit
- If only one of a couple is a pensioner you cannot receive housing benefit and must claim Universal Credit for help with rent
The Council runs the scheme but the Government sets the rules. How much you get depends on:
- whether you have a partner
- your income from working, and from things like benefits and pensions.
- any savings or investments you have
- the circumstances of other people living with you (their age and income for example)
- the number of bedrooms you need
- how much of your rent counts for benefit
- 'Local housing allowance' rules if you rent from a private landlord
Universal Credit
If you need to make a new application for help with your rent, you will need to claim Universal Credit unless you fall into 1 of the 2 categories below.
You will need to claim Universal Credit if you:
- Are NOT of pension age (both members of a couple must be receiving or eligible for their state pension), or
- Are NOT living in supported accommodation.
You can check your eligibility to claim at www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit.
Please be aware that you will still need to apply for help with your Council Tax payments through Stroud District Council.
How to apply for housing benefit
If you live in the Stroud District AND you fit the criteria above you may qualify for housing benefit.
We will then contact you by email.
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Local housing allowance rates
Local housing allowance (LHA) is a housing benefit scheme for people who qualify and who rent their homes from a private landlord, are on a low income and need help to pay their rent.
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Discretionary housing payment (DHP)
A discretionary housing payment (DHP) could help you if your housing benefit or UC doesn't cover the rent. Please note we can only pay DHP if you are actually receiving Housing Benefit or UC and it is ONLY for rent. Also, if you are moving INTO our area you must claim any DHP from the area you have moved from.
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Housing benefit payments
View your housing benefit payments private tenants only
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Overpayments
Information about overpayments of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support