Housing benefit before moving in

This content applies to England only.

Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. This page applies to England only. Get advice relating to Scotland

You may need to start paying rent on a new home before you can actually move in. However, you may be able to get housing benefit in some situations.

If you need to start paying rent on a new home before you move in, you may be able to get housing benefit for up to four weeks, provided that:

• you're not already receiving housing benefit (in this case, you may be able to apply for housing benefit for two homes), and
• you make your claim before you move in, and
• you can't move in because you are waiting for a disability adaptation to be carried out to your new home and you can't live there until the work's been done, or
  
• you needed to start paying rent while you were in hospital or residential accommodation, or
  
• you are waiting for a social fund payment connected to your move and you have a child under five, or you are aged 60 or over, or you qualify for a disability, severe disability, pensioner or disabled child premium, and
  
• the delay is reasonable.

So, for example, you should be able to get housing benefit for up to four weeks before you move in if:

• you are leaving residential care and moving into a bungalow but can't move in until the bathroom has been adapted so you can use it, or
• you are a young parent with a baby and you're moving out of your parents' home and into your own place but you are waiting to get the money from a community care grant so you can buy some furniture, as your new flat is unfurnished.