Increasing your income
This content applies to Scotland only.
Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. Get advice relating to England
If you have fallen into rent arrears because you are having difficulty making rent payments, you may be able to increase your income, make savings or get help paying your rent.
Can I get help to pay the rent?
If you have a low income or you are already receiving welfare benefits, you may be entitled to help to pay your rent from housing benefit. If you are entitled to housing benefit and have a good reason for not having claimed earlier, you may be able to get your claim backdated for up to six months.
If you are already claiming housing benefit, but it does not cover all of the rent, you may be able to claim a discretionary housing payment to help with the difference, or even to help towards paying off the arrears.
Can I claim any other benefits?
If you are having difficulty paying your rent, you may not be receiving benefits that you are entitled to. You may be able to get council tax benefit to help you with your council tax. There are also other benefits that you may be entitled to if you:
- have a low income
- have children
- are sick or have a disability
- are a carer.
Entitlement to benefits can be complicated. Speak to an adviser at Citizens Advice or another advice agency to find out if you are receiving all of the benefits you may be entitled to. You can also find out more on the DirectGov website.
How do I work out my finances?
The National Debtline produces a self-help pack you can use to record your incoming and outgoing finances and work out a budget. A specialist adviser can also help you look at your budget. Once you know what you spend each week, you might be able to find ways to reduce your expenditure. This might be possible by:
- spending less on non-essential items
- reducing payments to other debts such as credit cards or hire purchase goods
- switching to a cheaper provider of electricity, gas or telephone
- switching to a cheaper provider of car or contents insurance
- taking in a lodger (provided your landlord gives their permission).
How can I reduce my bills?
The Consumer Credit Counselling Service website has advice on how to budget and save money, whilst you can investigate cheaper utility options at uSwitch.
There are many useful websites that allow you to compare the cost of different insurance policies. For starters, try:
How can I pay off my rent arrears?
If you are able make your current rent payments but are struggling to pay back arrears, you may be able to apply for a debt payment programme under the debt arrangement scheme.
