For full details of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit and how to apply, visit the UK government website.
Visit Citizens Advice Scotland for more advice on your application for New Style JSA.
Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits. Housing Benefit is not for costs associated with heating, hot water, lighting, laundry, or cooking.
Housing Benefit is currently being replaced by Universal Credit (UC). If you already receive HB, you will receive or will have already received a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) called a “migration notice”, asking you to switch to UC.
For more information on the transfer to UC, head to Universal Credit.
New applications for HB are only open to:
- People who have reached State Pension age
- Those in supported, sheltered or temporary housing
HB was intended for people who live in council or social housing. The amount of HB you can receive depends on your income and circumstances:
- Your eligible rent (the amount used to calculate your HB claim)
- How many people live with you, or as part of your household
- Your household’s income, including benefits, pensions and savings – if you receive Guaranteed Credit of Pension Credit, then the £16,000 capital limit will not apply.
- The age of the people in your home, or if someone has a disability
If you rent privately and are on a low income, HB goes by the alternative name of Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate. You can find out your LHA rate on the UK government website.
