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Housing benefit
Housing Benefit helps people on low incomes pay their rent. For most working-age people this help now comes through Universal Credit rather than Housing Benefit. However, you may still be able to claim Housing Benefit directly if you live in supported or temporary accommodation, or if you are of pension age. If you are part of a couple and one of you is pension age, please contact us for advice on what to claim as it will depend on your circumstances.
The amount you receive depends on your income and savings, your age, the size of your household, whether any household members are disabled, and the amount of rent you pay.
How to apply
To apply for Housing Benefit complete the application form below. You can also ask for help completing the application form, and home visits are available on request if needed by contacting our benefits team.
You will be asked about the people in your household and for details of your income, savings and the rent you pay. You will need to provide evidence such as payslips, bank statements or benefit award letters. Please send original documents, which will be returned to you. If you rent from a private landlord, you will also need to provide details about your accommodation.
If you or your partner are aged 60 or over and have applied to the Pension Service for Pension Credit, you may receive a Housing Benefit application form directly from them. If you return that form to us, you will not need to fill in our own application form.
Benefit is normally awarded from the Monday following the date we receive your application. We may be able to backdate it by up to six months if you are under 60, or three months if you are 60 or over, provided you have a good reason for not claiming sooner. Note that not knowing about the scheme or failing to make earlier enquiries are not considered good reasons.
Related resources
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Housing benefit and council tax reduction application form
This document contains an application form for Housing Benefit and / or Council Tax Reduction from Orkney Islands Council. It asks about your household, rent, income, benefits, savings, work and other financial circumstances. The form explains what evidence to provide, how to request backdated support, how information will be used and the need to report changes. Applicants must sign the declaration and return the completed form with supporting evidence to the Benefits Section.
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Notes on application process housing benefit
This document contains guidance on applying for Housing Benefit and / or Council Tax Reduction from Orkney Islands Council. It explains which information and evidence to provide about your household, income, savings, housing and benefits, and when support may be backdated. It also covers Second Adult Rebate, Local Housing Allowance, payment arrangements, privacy, changes you must report and how to return the completed form.
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Housing benefit additional information about your rent form
This document contains an additional information form for Housing Benefit claims from people who rent from someone other than Orkney Islands Council. It asks about the tenant, landlord, tenancy, rent, included services, property and payment arrangements. Applicants must provide original proof of their rent and tenancy, then sign a declaration. The form also explains how information is used and gives applicants the option to let the Council share claim progress with their landlord.
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Backdating claims leaflet
This document contains guidance on backdating Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit claims. It explains when backdating may be allowed, including the need to show continuous “good cause” for delays, and the maximum periods of six months for working-age claimants and three months for people aged 60 or over. It also lists examples of good cause and explains how to make a written request. Claims for people aged 60 or over may be backdated automatically if the conditions are met.
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Changes of circumstances
You must contact us straight away if your circumstances change in a way that could affect your entitlement - for example, if your income, savings or household composition changes, or if you move. Failing to do so promptly may result in an overpayment that you will need to repay.
Overpayments
If you have been paid more Housing Benefit than you were entitled to, you will be asked to repay it. Overpayments can happen for various reasons including failure to report a change of circumstances, providing incorrect information, or delays in processing. Repayment can be made as a single payment, by reducing future benefit payments, or by agreed instalments. Contact us if you receive an overpayment notice and are unsure what to do.
Related resources
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Housing benefit overpayment leaflet
This document contains guidance on Housing Benefit overpayments, including what they are, how the Council will notify you and how to appeal. It explains who may have to repay the money and the ways the Council can recover it, such as deductions, invoices or court action. It also advises contacting the Council promptly if repayments are unaffordable, as instalments or changed deductions may be possible, and provides contact details for further information and independent advice.
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Housing benefit overpayments policy
This document contains details on the policy used by Orkney Islands Council to manage, prevent and recover Housing Benefit overpayments, which happen when someone is paid more financial support than they are entitled to. It explains why overpayments occur, such as changes in circumstances or processing delays, and outlines the steps taken to prevent them and notify affected individuals. The policy also sets out the rules and methods for recovering money from claimants, landlords or rent accounts, alongside how the Council monitors its performance and reviews the policy over time.
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Housing benefit on two homes
Housing Benefit is normally only paid on the property you live in. In certain circumstances it may be paid on two properties at the same time - for example, if you have moved into a new home but still have rent liability on your old one, or if you have fled your home due to fear of violence. Contact us to find out if this applies to you.
Related resources
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Housing benefit on two homes information leaflet
This document contains guidance on when Housing Benefit may cover two homes, including during a move, after leaving because of violence, for student or trainee couples, and for large families housed in separate council properties. It explains that payments are limited or subject to conditions, and may sometimes start before moving in for up to four weeks. It also sets out how to apply and where to get further information and independent advice from Orkney Islands Council or Citizens Advice.
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Housing benefit on two homes application form
This document contains an Orkney Islands Council form to apply for Housing Benefit when you’re paying rent on two homes. It asks for your personal details, moving dates, reasons for the move, previous address, notice to your landlord and the date rent ended; you must also provide a landlord’s letter confirming this date, sign the declaration and return the form to the Benefits Section.
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Local housing allowance
If you rent from a private landlord, your Housing Benefit is calculated using the Local Housing Allowance (LHA). This is based on the size of your household and the area you live in, rather than your actual rent. The LHA rate may not cover all of your rent - if there is a shortfall, you will need to make up the difference yourself.
Housing Benefit under LHA is normally paid directly to you rather than to your landlord. However, in certain circumstances - for example, if you are more than eight weeks behind with your rent or we feel it is in your best interests - we can pay it directly to your landlord instead.
The current LHA rates for Orkney are available to download below.
Related resources
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Local housing allowance rates
This document contains the Local Housing Allowance rates for Orkney from 1 April 2024. It explains the maximum Housing Benefit payments for tenants renting privately, ranging from £87.45 a week for a shared room to £195.62 for four or more bedrooms. The rate depends on household size and assessed bedroom need; it doesn’t apply to Council or Orkney Housing Association tenants.人體藝術
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Local housing allowance information for private landlords
This document contains guidance for private landlords on Local Housing Allowance and Housing Benefit. It explains which tenancies are covered, how allowance rates are worked out, and why payments usually go to tenants, who must pay their rent themselves. It also describes exceptions, including cases involving rent arrears or tenants who may struggle to manage money, and explains landlords’ appeal rights and where to get further information.
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Local housing allowance safeguard policy
This document contains Orkney Islands Council’s policy on paying Local Housing Allowance directly to private landlords instead of tenants. Direct payment is required where rent arrears reach eight weeks or deductions are being made to repay arrears, and may be used where tenants are unlikely to manage their money or pay rent. The policy explains how decisions are assessed, recorded and reviewed, including evidence, support and appeal arrangements.
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Appealing a decision
If you disagree with a Housing Benefit decision, you can ask us for a written explanation. You should normally write to us within one month of the date of our decision. If we cannot change the decision, we will refer the matter to an independent tribunal. You can opt for a paper hearing if you do not wish to attend in person.
Related resources
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Housing Benefit Appeal Information Leaflet
This document contains guidance on challenging an Orkney Islands Council Housing Benefit decision. It explains how to request reasons, ask the Council to review the decision or appeal to an independent tribunal, including key deadlines and what happens during the process. It also covers oral and paper hearings, tribunal decisions and possible further appeals about how the law was applied, with contact details for advice.
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Housing Benefit Appeal Form
This document contains an appeal form for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction decisions. It asks for your personal details, the benefit you’re appealing, the decision date, and clear reasons why you think the decision is wrong. You must explain any appeal made more than one month after the decision, sign the form, and send it to the Benefits Section, Orkney Islands Council, Council Offices, Kirkwall, KW15 1NY.
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Benefit fraud
Benefit fraud is knowingly claiming benefit you are not entitled to. This includes failing to declare earnings, savings, a partner, other household members, or a change in circumstances. Benefit fraud is a criminal offence.
If you suspect someone is committing benefit fraud, you can report it to the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm), or online at gov.uk/report-benefit-fraud.
If you are found to have committed benefit fraud, a Loss of Benefit penalty will be applied. Penalties range from a four-week reduction for a first administrative penalty, up to a three-year loss of benefit for serious or organised fraud cases.
Contact us
Benefits
Council Offices, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1NY