For years, Housing Benefit was the main way people on a low income got help with their rent. Now that the move to Universal Credit is largely complete, most working-age people can no longer make a new claim for it. But Housing Benefit has not disappeared, and some groups can still claim it. This guide explains who can still claim Housing Benefit in 2026, and what everyone else should claim instead.

The move to Universal Credit

Universal Credit has replaced Housing Benefit for most working-age people. The long process of moving people across, known as managed migration, reached its final stages by 2026, so for the vast majority of renters of working age, help with rent now comes through the Universal Credit housing element rather than Housing Benefit. If you are a working-age renter making a new claim, you will normally claim Universal Credit.

Who can still claim Housing Benefit

Despite this, you can still make a new claim for Housing Benefit if you fall into one of a few groups. In broad terms, these are:

  • People who have reached State Pension age, whether single or in a couple where both have reached that age.
  • People living in supported, sheltered or other specified accommodation that provides care, support or supervision.
  • People living in temporary accommodation arranged by the council, such as a hostel or bed and breakfast.
  • People living in a refuge, for example after fleeing domestic abuse.

If you are in one of these groups, Housing Benefit may still be the route for help with your rent.

Pensioners and Housing Benefit

If you have reached State Pension age, you can usually claim Housing Benefit for help with your rent rather than Universal Credit. This is an important point, because pensioners are often better served by the pension-age benefits system. If you are a single pensioner, or a couple who have both reached State Pension age, and you rent your home, it is worth checking your entitlement to Housing Benefit alongside Pension Credit.

Mixed-age couples

The rules are stricter for mixed-age couples, where one partner has reached State Pension age and the other has not. In most cases, a mixed-age couple has to claim Universal Credit rather than pension-age benefits, unless they are protected by older rules from having claimed continuously since a set date. This catches many couples out, so if you are in a mixed-age couple, it is worth getting advice on which benefits you should claim.

Supported and temporary accommodation

If you live in supported or sheltered housing that provides care, support or supervision, or in temporary accommodation arranged by your council, your rent is usually met by Housing Benefit even if you are working age and claim Universal Credit for your other living costs. This is because the Universal Credit housing element does not cover these types of accommodation. So you may claim Universal Credit and Housing Benefit at the same time, each covering a different part of your needs.

How Housing Benefit is worked out

Housing Benefit is means-tested, so it depends on your income, savings, household and your rent. For private tenants it is limited by the Local Housing Allowance, and for social tenants it can be reduced by the bedroom tax for working-age claimants, in the same way as the Universal Credit housing element. Savings also matter: above a certain level your Housing Benefit reduces, and above an upper limit you cannot usually claim, though pensioners on the guarantee part of Pension Credit are treated more generously.

How to claim

You claim Housing Benefit from your local council, not the DWP, usually through a form on the council's website or by contacting their benefits team. If you are also claiming Pension Credit, you can often start a Housing Benefit claim at the same time through the Pension Service. Claim as soon as you can, as backdating is limited, and ask the council to backdate your claim if you had good reason for any delay.

If you are not eligible

If you cannot claim Housing Benefit because you are working age and not in supported or temporary accommodation, you should claim the Universal Credit housing element instead, which does the same job of helping with your rent. The way it is worked out is similar, so the help is broadly comparable, but you claim it as part of your Universal Credit rather than separately from the council.

Savings and Housing Benefit

Like other means-tested help, Housing Benefit takes account of your savings and capital. For working-age claimants, savings above a lower threshold start to reduce your award, and above an upper limit you cannot usually claim at all. Pensioners are treated more generously, with a higher lower threshold, and those on the guarantee part of Pension Credit can have larger savings and still qualify. If your savings change, tell the council, as it affects how much you get.

When Housing Benefit can stop

Housing Benefit can stop or change for a number of reasons, such as a rise in your income, a change in who lives with you, moving home, or a change in your Pension Credit. If you are a pensioner and your guarantee Pension Credit ends, the normal savings limit applies again, so you may need to make a fresh claim. Reporting changes promptly keeps your Housing Benefit correct and avoids overpayments you would have to repay.

Housing Benefit and Pension Credit together

For pensioners, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit work closely together. Receiving the guarantee part of Pension Credit can passport you to full help with your rent through Housing Benefit, regardless of your savings. This is one of the many reasons it is so worth pensioners checking their Pension Credit entitlement, as it can unlock full housing support as well as a range of other help, transforming a household's finances.

Two homes and temporary absences

Housing Benefit normally helps with one home, but there are exceptions. You may be able to get help for two homes for a short period in certain situations, such as when you have had to move because of violence and are still liable for your old rent. You can also usually keep Housing Benefit during a temporary absence from home, within set time limits, as long as you intend to return. If your living situation is unusual, ask the council how the rules apply to you.

In short

Most working-age renters can no longer claim Housing Benefit and should claim the Universal Credit housing element instead. But you can still claim Housing Benefit if you have reached State Pension age, or live in supported, sheltered or temporary accommodation. Pensioners in particular should check it alongside Pension Credit.

Check which benefit suits you

Because the line between Housing Benefit and the Universal Credit housing element depends on your age and where you live, it is worth having your situation checked rather than guessing. An adviser can confirm which one you should claim, make sure you are not missing other help such as Pension Credit or Council Tax Reduction, and help you claim. Getting this right from the start avoids delays and makes sure your rent is covered in the way that suits your circumstances.

Where to get help

Your council, Citizens Advice and Age UK can help you work out whether to claim Housing Benefit or Universal Credit. See our guides to the Universal Credit housing element and Pension Credit.