Benefits
Different types of benefits are available to help renters and homeowners with costs of private or council housing within the limits of the benefit cap.
Housing benefit
Rules for claiming help to pay rent, which is paid by local authorities and calculated by looking at income and local rent rates.
Local housing allowance
The local housing allowance (LHA) scheme is an alternative method of calculating housing benefit for tenants in the private rented sector.
Universal credit
Universal credit is a means-tested benefit for people of working age and is intended to cover both living expenses and accommodation costs.
Support for mortgage interest
Government repayable loan can help homeowners who claim benefits to pay interest on mortgages or loans taken out for repairs or improvements.
Benefit cap
Benefit cap limits the total amount of benefits that working-age claimants can receive, and housing benefit or universal credit can be reduced.
Discretionary housing payments
Local authorities can award a discretionary, limited and temporary housing payment to claimants if existing benefits do not cover housing costs.
Council tax support
Eligibility and rules for claiming support to pay council tax bills, available for people in financial need and administered by local authorities.
