Housing benefit

Housing benefit can help you pay your rent if you are:

  • state pension age
  • in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

See Apply for housing benefit

For all other claimants, housing benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit.

See Housing costs and Universal Credit (GOV.UK)

Discretionary housing payments (DHP)

We may be able to pay you a DHP if you are struggling to pay your rent. You do not have to pay DHP back.

You can apply if you currently get either:

See Discretionary housing payments

Risk of homelessness

You should contact us if you are at risk of becoming homeless. We will ask you to complete an assessment so that we can work out how best to help you. Don’t wait until you are homeless before seeking help.

See Get help with homelessness

Warmth and energy bills

The government is giving every household £400 off their electricity bill. You don’t need to do anything to get the money and you won’t have to pay it back. The £400 will be automatically added to your energy account over six months starting from October 2022.

See One-off payments from government

You may be eligible for financial help with ensuring that your home is adequately heated and insulated.

See Help to improve cold or hazardous homes and Help paying bills