Housing Benefit is a means tested benefit paid by Local Authorities to help people on low incomes to meet the cost of rented accommodation.
An award of HB helps the claimant pay the rent for the property occupied by their family. The calculation takes into account the circumstances of the claimant, their partner (if they have one), their dependant children (if they have any) and any 'non-dependants' that live with them.
To claim Housing Benefit:
- The claimant (and their partner) must meet the long list of qualifying conditions, eg have joint savings below £16,000, and
- The claimant (or their partner) must be liable to pay rent on a property.
- The claimant must occupy that property as their home.
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