Housing benefit before moving in

This content applies to England only.

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

Before you can move into your new home, you may need to start paying rent. You may be able to get housing benefit to help during this period.

Claiming housing benefit for your new place

If you are not already claiming housing benefit – you may be able to get housing benefit for up to four weeks before you move in. You must claim housing benefit, or have written to the housing benefit department about your move before it takes place. You will have to show that the delay in moving in is reasonable.

You will also have to be able to show that you couldn’t move in earlier because:

you were waiting for an adaptation to the building for a disabled person to be finished for you or a member of your family
you were in hospital or a care home when you had to start paying rent, or
you are waiting for a social fund payment to help with your move (such as removal costs or furniture) – but only if you have a child under six, are aged 60 or over, or you claim certain benefits that include payments for a disabled family member.

Examples of when you may be able to get a payment could include if:

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

Already claiming housing benefit on another place?

If you’re already receiving housing benefit, you may be able to apply for housing benefit for two homes for up to four weeks.

Share your story

Our housing crisis is affecting millions of people across the country. The most effective way for Shelter to show just how bad things have got and how much needs to be done is by highlighting the real-life experiences of people around the country.

If you have had a bad housing experience you can help Shelter by sharing your story with us