Apply for Housing Benefit
Find out who can apply for Housing Benefit, apply online and what happens if you claim Universal Credit.
Universal Credit and housing costs
If you claim Universal Credit (UC), you'll no longer claim housing benefit. Instead, you'll claim the housing part of UC.
You can apply for the housing part of UC online when you make your UC application. You need to tick the box to claim help with housing costs to get this payment.
Visit the GOV.UK website to find out more about UC (opens new window).
Service information
You can use this service to apply for Housing Benefit.
Eligibility criteria
You can apply for Housing Benefit if you pay rent and are on a low income. This includes if you pay rent to:
- us
- a housing association
- a private landlord
- a hostel
To qualify you must usually live in the property and be your main home.
You or your partner must not have savings of £16,000 or over.
In this context, a partner means:
- someone you're married to
- someone you're in a civil relationship with
- someone you live with as a partner
Before you start
You need to send us proof of your circumstances within 14 days of submitting your form or we won't be able to process your application.
You need to provide these documents for you and your partner. This includes proof of:
- your identity
- National Insurance (NI) number
- any savings, capital or investments
- any earnings
- bank statements
- any benefits, allowances or pensions
- a private lease or tenancy agreement
You must provide original documents. We won't accept copies.
You can take these to our offices in Barrhead or Giffnock so we can take photocopies.
How to apply
We recommend you read our privacy notice before you apply.
