Customer Services
Claiming housing benefit
We now have a Benefits Calculator. You can use this to calculate what benefits you may be entitled to. Below are some pointers on claiming Housing Benefit.*
- You can submit your claim up to 13 weeks before you become entitled to Housing Benefit, but you will not normally receive any money before you move in.
- Contact your social security office for a claim form – look for the Benefits Agency advert in the business numbers section of the phone book. If you claim Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance you’ll find the Housing Benefit forms in your claim pack.
- Complete and return the forms with your Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance claim form.
- If you don’t claim Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance you can get Housing Benefit forms from your local council. You’ll find the address in the business numbers section of the phone book.
- The Housing Benefit office will want to confirm your identity when you make a claim. They may need to ask you about your background and look at any official documents you have to support your claim. Please note that you will be expected to provide original documents, not photocopies.
- Progressing your claim is your responsibility, but our staff can provide advice if you are having problems. You must call us if a problem with your claim could result in you falling into rent arrears.
- Open the benefits calculator. (You will need to close the calculator window to return to this site).
