Housing Benefit

Related Sites

Directgov - BenefitsExternal link to the Benefits Advisor section of the Directgov website

In this section

Benefit FraudInformation on benefit fraud in Orkney.Benefits-Are You Missing Out?Information on council tax benefits in Orkney.Benefits Business PlanInformation on the benefits business plan for council tax in Orkney.Discretionary Housing PaymentsInformation on discretionary housing payments in Orkney.Housing Benefit on Two HomesInformation on housing benefit on two homes in Orkney.Apply for Housing BenefitInformation on applying for housing benefit in Orkney.Housing Benefit AppealsInformation on appeals in housing benefit in Orkney.Housing Benefit Backdated ClaimsInformation on backdated housing benefit claims in Orkney.Change of CircumstancesInformation on change of circumstances in housing benefit in Orkney.Landlords - Direct PaymentInformation on direct payment to landlords in housing benefits in Orkney.Local Housing AllowanceInformation on local housing allowance in Orkney.OverpaymentsInformation on overpayment of housing benefits in Orkney.

Housing Benefit

If you’re on a low income, you may be entitled to a reduction in the amount that you pay in rent. This is called Housing Benefit, and you can apply if you rent property from the Council, Orkney Housing Association or a private landlord.

How Much Benefit Can I Receive?

The amount of any benefit you receive will depend on factors such as your income and savings, your age, the size of your household, whether any household members are disabled and the amount of rent that you pay.

You can get an estimate of the benefits, tax credits or pension that may be available by visiting the Directgov website, available through Related Sites on the left of this web page.

Benefits and Joint Income

If you receive Income Support, Income Based Jobseekers Allowance, or the guarantee element of Pension Credit, you may be eligible for the maximum amount of housing benefit.

If you don’t receive any of these benefits, but have low earnings, you might still qualify for some housing benefit. But usually, your savings must be less than £16,000.

If you are married, or live together as husband and wife, you will be assessed on your joint income.

Home Sharing and Joint Responsibility

You might also qualify for a reduction if there’s another adult, other than your partner, living in the household.

If you have a joint responsibility to pay the tax with someone other than your partner, perhaps with a brother or sister, you can apply separately for a reduction.

Welfare Reforms

Cuts to government spending cuts will also affect welfare benefits such as Housing Benefit. Most of these changes will not be introduced until 2013 but some will take place earlier. From April 2011 the excess Local Housing Allowance of up to £15 per week for those renting in the private sector will end and the rates of Local Housing Allowance paid to those renting in the private sector may also be reduced. From January 2011 single Housing Benefit applicants aged under 35 years will also have their benefit reduced to what is called the "Single Room Rate".