Last updated:

2nd July 2024

Benefit eligibility and money advice

Find out which benefits you can claim

What is Housing Benefit?

Housing Benefit is a benefit that is offered to help you to pay your rent if you're on a low income. Housing Benefit can only help with the rent you pay. If your rent covers other services like fuel, bills, meals or water charges, a deduction will be made from your Housing Benefit. 

First, you will need to check whether you need to apply for Universal Credit or Housing Benefit towards your rent.

Who can claim Housing Benefit? 

You can claim Housing Benefit if:

  • You pay for rent and are of State Pension Age
  • You have less than £16,000 in savings
  • Or, you live in supported accommodation
  • Or, you live in temporary Council homeless accommodation



Read the guidance on the Gov.uk website to find out more about Housing Benefit eligibility.

If you are not of State Pension Age and are not in supported or temporary accommodation, you will need to apply for Universal Credit to help towards your rent.

How to claim

Read our how to claim Housing Benefit page to find out how to make a claim.

Council Tax Reduction Scheme

Read our Council Tax reductions page for details of the different types of Council Tax reductions.

Council Tax discounts

Read our Council Tax discounts page for details of the different types of Council Tax discounts.

Discretionary Housing Payment (help with housing costs)

A Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) is a short-term payment from the Council to help cover some of your housing costs. 

Read our Discretionary Housing Payments page to find out how to apply for help.

Local Welfare Provision (for people in a crisis / emergency)

Read our Local Welfare Provision page to find out how to apply for help in an emergency or crisis.

Benefits for disabled people

Read the disability benefits page to find out which benefits you can claim if you have a disability.

Free bus pass

Read our free bus pass page to find out how to apply for a free bus pass.

Help to pay heating bills

If you are of retirement age, you may be able to claim a winter fuel payment to help pay your heating bills. Read the winter fuel payment page on the Gov.uk website for more details.

Child Benefits

Free childcare

Read our free childcare page to find out how to apply for free childcare for under 5s.

School and college

Universal Credit

Read our Universal Credit page to find out about changes to Benefits.

Injuries at work

Visit the Gov.uk website to find out if you can claim compensation for injuries at work.

Bereavement

  • Visit the Gov.uk website to find out how to claim Bereavement Allowance (formerly Widow's Pension)  
  • Visit the Gov.uk website to find out how to claim a Bereavement Payment 

Benefits and bills

Visit the Citizens Advice website to find out what help you can get if you're on a low income.

Use the Benefits Calculator to find out if you can get additional help with your income.

To apply for the Household Support Fund, visit the Citizens Advice Wokingham website.

Food

Visit the Wokingham Foodbank website to get help with food.

Legal aid

Visit the Gov.uk website to check if you're eligible for legal aid.

Benefit cap (maximum benefit you can claim)

Visit the Gov.uk website to find out about the benefit cap (cap on the maximum benefit you can claim.)

Debt advice

Contact one of the following organisations to receive independent, confidential advice.

Give website feedback

Happy face Neutral face Sad face