2. Can I claim housing benefit to help pay my rent?
This content applies to Scotland only.
Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. Get advice relating to England
You may be able to claim housing benefit if you have a low income or are claiming other benefits. You'll need to fill in a claim form if you want to do this.
If you rent from a private landlord, you can claim local housing allowance. Local housing allowance is not a different benefit; it is the new way of calculating housing benefit.
How much you get, if anything, will depend on your situation. But it may not cover all of your rent, so you'll have to make up the difference from your other income. There are special rules that might affect you if you:
- are under 25
- have been in care, or
- are a full-time student.
Don't stop paying your rent until you're sure that you'll get housing benefit. Claims can take a long time to process, so if you're not entitled to full benefit, you could be left with huge rent arrears. If you haven't had any payments within 14 days of the council receiving your claim form, ask for a payment on account.
The housing benefit rules are complicated, so go and see an adviser at Citizens Advice or welfare rights agency if you're unsure about making a claim. They can help with forms or chase up delays, and can check that you're getting everything you're entitled to.
