Universal credit: How to claim
Universal credit or housing benefit?
Most people must apply for universal credit when making a new benefits claim to help with rent and other living costs.
You can still make a new claim for housing benefit if any of the following apply:
- you - and your partner if you live with them - are pension age
- you get other benefits which include a severe disability premium
- you're staying in a refuge, hostel or some types of supported or temporary housing
Mixed age couples
If you are in a couple and one of you is under pension age, you can't usually make a new housing benefit claim. Most mixed age couples have to claim universal credit instead.
If you already get housing benefit
You can continue to receive this unless a change in your situation means you have to make a new claim for universal credit instead.
'Universal credit has replaced several older benefits'
Our housing adviser Kate tells you which benefits have been replaced by universal credit.
Last updated 13 Aug 2019 | © Shelter
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