Housing benefit

Advice and BenefitsHousing and council tax benefits

Housing and council tax benefits are national welfare benefits that local councils administer on behalf of the Government.

The processing of housing and council tax benefit is very complex and the following information is given as a guide only. If you think that you may be entitled to either housing or council tax benefit please contact us.

Housing benefit

Housing benefit helps you pay your rent if you are on a low income.

Can anyone claim housing benefit?

You can claim housing benefit if you live in:

Housing benefit cannot help with mortgage payments.  If you own your own home, you may be able to claim council tax benefit. 

Take a look at our frequently asked questions about housing benefit before you apply. We also have a range of guides and forms that you can download.

Housing benefit is payable in respect of the household. This includes single people, lone parents and married or unmarried couples with or without children. The property must be occupied as the home and there has to be a liability to pay rent.

Claims may only be made in respect of one property at a time except in special circumstances, for example, if you have to vacate the home temporarily through fear of violence.

There are three routes for claiming housing benefit:

  • together with a claim for income support or jobseeker's allowance (income based)
  • by direct application to the council
  • via the pensions service if you are aged 60 or over

If you receive Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance (income based) we may be able to give you enough benefit to pay all of your rent. However, if your rent is too high we have to reduce the amount we pay.

If you do not get Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance (income based) the amount of benefit we can give you depends on the income you have coming in every week, as well as other things including:

  • the amount of rent or council tax you pay
  • whether you are single
  • whether you have children
  • whether you have a disability 


We cannot give you any help towards water charges, heating charges and certain other charges including meals.

If you have any other adults living with you such as grown up children we may have to reduce the amount of benefit we can pay you.

How to apply

If you think you may be entitled to benefit, you need to complete and return a Benefits Application Form (PDF File, 121kb)  .   You can also pick up a form from any of our local offices. Alternatively, call 01636 650000 or e-mail housing.benefits@nsdc.info

If you are elderly or have mobility problems we can arrange to visit you in your own home.  Please contact us on 01636 650000 to arrange a visit.

Benefits calculator

Find out what you may be entitled to with our web benefits calculator.

Severe cold weather payments

If you're on a low income, a cold weather payment may be available to help you for each week of very cold weather in your area.

Find out more at the Direct.gov website

Debt advice and financial Support

A number of local and national advice services may also be able to help with financial issues.

How to apply

If you think you may be entitled to benefit, you need to complete and return a Benefits Application Form (PDF File, 121kb). You can also pick up a form from any of our local offices. Alternatively, call 01636 650000 or e-mail housing.benefits@nsdc.info

If you are elderly or have mobility problems we can arrange to visit you in your own home.  Please contact us on 01636 650000 to arrange a visit.

Benefits calculator

Find out what you may be entitled to with our web benefits calculator.

Severe cold weather payments

If you're on a low income, a cold weather payment may be available to help you for each week of very cold weather in your area.

Find out more at the Direct.gov website

Debt advice and financial Support

A number of local and national advice services may also be able to help with financial issues.

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