Can I still claim Housing Benefit?

For people who have reached State Pension age or live in supported, sheltered or temporary housing.

Applies to: England, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. You can only make a new claim if you've reached State Pension age, or live in supported, sheltered or temporary housing.

You usually can't get it with savings over £16,000, unless you get Guarantee Credit.
If you're not eligible, apply for Universal Credit for help with housing costs.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Scotland: Check mygov.scot for Scotland
Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

State Pension age, or
Supported/temporary housing
Otherwise Universal Credit

Who can still make a new claim

For most working-age people, Housing Benefit has been replaced by the housing amount in Universal Credit. You can usually only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if:

you have reached State Pension age (or you are in a couple and both of you have), or
you live in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

If you already get Housing Benefit, you can keep it until you are moved to Universal Credit or your circumstances change.

How much you can get

It depends on your rent, your household, your income and your savings. If you rent privately, the most you can get is usually set by the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate for your area and the number of bedrooms you are allowed.

Savings rules

Your situation	Savings limit
Over State Pension age and getting Pension Credit Guarantee Credit	No limit
Over State Pension age otherwise	Usually £16,000; the first £10,000 is ignored
Working age (supported or temporary housing)	£16,000; the first £6,000 is ignored

If other adults live with you

If an adult such as a grown-up son or daughter lives with you, your Housing Benefit may be reduced because they are expected to contribute. In 2026/27 the weekly deduction depends on their income:

Their gross weekly income	Deduction
Less than £192 (or not working, aged 18+)	£20.40
£192 to £278.99	£46.85
£279 to £364.99	£64.35
£365 to £484.99	£105.20
£485 to £604.99	£119.85
£605 or more	£131.45

There is no deduction in some cases, for example if you or your partner are registered blind or get Attendance Allowance, PIP daily living or the care part of DLA.

How to claim

Apply through your local council. If you are claiming Pension Credit, you can usually apply for Housing Benefit at the same time. If your Housing Benefit does not cover your rent, ask your council for extra help. In Wales this is a Discretionary Housing Payment. In England, since 1 April 2026, it is called a Housing Payment, from the Crisis and Resilience Fund.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

Housing Benefit: eligibility (GOV.UK)
Housing Benefit: what you'll get (GOV.UK)
Crisis and Resilience Fund: guidance for local authorities in England (GOV.UK)
Non-dependant deduction rates are from the Department for Work and Pensions' official Benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027. Rates usually change every April.

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

See how to claim

Common questions

Can couples claim?

Over State Pension age, usually only if you both have reached it.

Source: Housing Benefit: eligibility

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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