Social Tenants : Helping you to keep your home and where to get advice

If your wages are low or you're in receipt of benefits you might be entitled to help from the Council to pay your rent. This is known as Housing Benefit and the amount of money you will get depends on your financial and personal circumstances.

The most important thing to remember is that you need to claim as soon as possible. If you have delayed in submitting your claim you might still be able to get it backdated so you don't lose out if you have a good reason for the delay (known as good cause). For example, you could not apply straight away as you were ill or waiting on the outcome of another benefit claim. Your solicitor or advisor can help you with this.

If you are already getting Housing Benefit but it doesn't cover all of your rent this might be because an overpayment of housing benefit is being deducted. It's worth checking with your advisor whether this could be challenged.

If you are subject to an under-occupancy deduction ("the bedroom tax") seek advice to see whether you might be able to challenge this.

Alternatively, if you are not getting full Housing Benefit it might be worth applying to the Council for a discretionary Housing Payment. If successful this could result in a modest one-off payment or extra ongoing payments that could help reduce your rent arrears.

Importantly, the onus is on you to make a claim for Housing Benefit - and you can get free help to do so from one of the agencies listed under 'where to turn'.