Benefits and support Claim benefits

Help with rent

Most working-age people should now claim help with rent from Universal Credit (they call it 'housing costs')

But if you are working-age and live in supported or temporary accommodation -

 Claim help with rent from us instead.

If you or your partner are pension-age, you either claim help with rent from us or you claim help with rent from Universal Credit - it depends on your circumstances

If you already get help with your rent and are still finding it difficult to manage there is other help available, including Discretionary Housing Payment

Help with council tax 

We help with council tax through Council Tax Support

If you are one of the people who get help with rent from us, we will work out if you can get Council Tax Support at the same time. You don't need to make a separate claim.

If you are working-age and already getting help with rent from Universal Credit, make sure you make a separate claim for Council Tax Support with us if you haven't already. Claim Council Tax Support

If you are working age and about to make a new claim for Universal Credit, read these rules to find out how to claim Council Tax Support.

If you are Pension Credit-age and need help with council tax, claim Council Tax Support. We will check if you would be better off on another benefit called Second Adult Rebate when we work out your Council Tax Support. Read about Second Adult Rebate

See how to get free school meals

Was this page helpful?

Fields marked * cannot be left blank

Feedback submitted to us on this form is monitored but you won’t receive a reply. In an emergency, visit our emergency contact details page. Please don't include any personal or financial information, for example your National Insurance or credit card numbers.