Housing benefit calculation rates 2024 to 2025

These figures are effective from 1 April 2024.[1]

Detailed guidance on benefits uprating from the Department for Work and Pensions is available on the Gov.uk website.

Find benefit and pensions rates for 2024 to 2025 on Gov.uk.

The claimant's applicable amount is the figure set by the Department for Work and Pensions to reflect the cost of the basic living needs of the claimant and their family.

The applicable amount is reached by adding the relevant personal allowances and premiums.

A claimant's personal allowance depends on their age and circumstances.

Dependant child or young person aged under 20

Unless the claim is exempt, there is a two child or young person limit on the award for dependant children and young people.[2]

The claim could be exempt because either:

• the claimant was receiving a personal allowance for three or more children on 5 April 2017

• three or more children are included in the assessment of the claimant's child tax credit claim

Claimants who reach pension age on or after 1 April 2021

Different personal allowances apply to housing benefit claimants who reach pension age on or after 1 April 2021.[3]

The Housing Benefit Circular A3/2021 contains further information about personal allowances for pension age people.

Premiums

Some claimants qualify for additional amounts called premiums. Some premiums are triggered by qualifying social security benefits. There is no limit to how many premiums can be awarded to a claimant.

Family premium

An existing claimant who qualified for the family premium on 1 May 2016 is entitled to a family premium in their applicable amount. If the claimant ceases to qualify for the family premium they cannot claim it again in future.[4]

Lone parent family premium

The lone parent family premium applies to claimants who were entitled to it on 5 April 1998 and whose circumstances have not changed.[5]

Figures for personal allowances and premiums from 1 April 2024.

Personal allowances

Premiums

Capital means savings, investments, and the value of property or land owned but not occupied by the claimant.

For claimants in a couple, their partner's capital is taken into account.

Capital for working age housing benefit

The capital of a claimant under the cut-off age for working age housing benefit is treated as follows:[6]

• the first £6,000 of capital is not counted

• capital between £6,000 and £16,000 is taken into account at a tariff income of £1 per week for each £250 of capital over £6,000

• capital over £16,000 means the claimant is not eligible for housing benefit

Over the age for working age housing benefit

The capital of a claimant over the cut-off age for working age housing benefit is treated as follows:[7]

• the first £10,000 of capital is not counted

• capital between £10,000 and £16,000 is taken into account at a tariff income of £1 per week for each £500 of capital over £10,000

• capital over £16,000 means the claimant is not eligible for housing benefit unless the claimant receives pension credit (guarantee)

Residential care homes

The capital of a claimant of working age who is in a residential care home is treated as follows:[8]

• the first £10,000 of capital is not counted

• capital between £10,000 and £16,000 is taken into account at a tariff income of £1 per week for each £250 of capital over £10,000

• capital over £16,000 means the claimant is not eligible for housing benefit

The cut-off age for working age housing benefit

The age at which a claimant ceases to be a claimant of working age increased in line with the state pension age for women.

The state pension age for:

• women increased from 60 to 65 in the period up to April 2018

• men and women increased from 65 to 66 between April 2018 and October 2020

• men and women will increase to 67 between 2026 and 2028

The Gov.uk state pension calculator can calculate a claimant's pension age.

The calculation of housing benefit takes into account the claimant's financial resources. Certain earnings, income, and capital are disregarded.

The common disregards are set out on this page. Full details of disregards are found in the Housing Benefit Regulations.[9]

Amount of earnings disregarded

Figures for the amount of earnings disregarded as income from 1 April 2024.

Benefit and welfare income disregards

The following benefit and welfare income are disregarded in full:

• universal credit

• income based jobseeker's allowance

• income support

• income based employment and support allowance

• guarantee pension credit

• personal independence payment

• disability living allowance and attendance allowance

• child benefit

• guardian's allowance

• discretionary housing payments

• council tax rebates

• council tax reductions

• foster care payments

• local welfare assistance

Capital disregards

The following assets and capital are disregarded in full:

• claimant's home and personal possessions

• lump sums of specified benefits

• lump sums of specified compensation payments

• occupational and private pensions

• business assets of a self employed person

• life insurance policies

Deductions can be made from the benefit amount for non dependants, meals, and fuel charges.

Non dependant deductions

Benefit regulations assume that a non-dependant adult living with the claimant will contribute to the rent, whether contributions are made or not. A deduction is made for each non dependant adult unless they are exempt.

No deduction is made for people who live at the property who are:

• under 18 years old

• receiving pension credit

• in hospital for 52 weeks or more

• in prison

• in receipt of a youth training allowance

No deduction is made for people who live at the property who are under 25 years old and receiving:

• universal credit with no earned income

• main phase employment and support allowance

• income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance

Meals deductions

Housing benefit does not cover what a landlord charges for meals. A fixed deduction is made from the claimant's rent to account for the meal charge.

Fuel service charge deductions

Housing benefit does not normally cover water rates or fuel costs. A deduction is made from the claimant's rent to account for the fuel charges.

The actual amount of the charges is deducted if known, otherwise fixed weekly amounts are deducted.

Deduction figures for non-dependants, meals, and fuel.

Deductions for non dependants

Figures for non dependant deductions from 1 April 2024.

Deductions for meals

Figures for meal deductions from 1 April 2024.

Deductions for fuel service charges

Figures for fuel deductions from 1 April 2024.