This content applies to England only.

Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. Get advice relating to Scotland

This section looks at the help that you may be able to get to pay your accommodation costs if you are staying in sheltered housing.

Renting

If you rent your sheltered home you will have to pay rent to stay there. If you are on a low income you may be entitled to housing benefit to help you pay your rent.

Buying

If you currently own your own home, you may wish to buy a sheltered home, as home owners are usually not given priority on waiting lists to rent sheltered housing from the council or a housing association.

Service charge

Whether you buy or rent your sheltered home, you will probably have to pay a service charge to cover the costs of the alarm system, the warden, building repair and maintenance, gardening, etc.

Some service charges are covered by housing benefit. You may also be able to get your service charge paid by Supporting People. This is a programme to help people live independently and maintain their home.

If your service charge is not paid for under Supporting People or housing benefit, and you are aged 60 or over, you may be able to get help from pension credit.

Additional care

If you need additional care such as: meals on wheels, or help to wash or get in and out of bed, you may be entitled to care at home and help to pay for your care at home.

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