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Benefits and other help for your housing costs
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If you do not work, or work under 16 hours a week: a lone parents’ guide to benefits and tax credits factsheet
- Claim Housing Benefit (if you pay rent) and Council Tax Benefit. If you are claiming Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, fill in a Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit application form that is included in your claim pack. Otherwise, apply directly to your local authority's Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit department.
- If you are a homeowner amounts can be added to your Income Support for mortgage interest and interest on loans to pay for certain repairs and improvements, service charges (although some may be excluded) and ground rent. There is a waiting period before these payments start (see below). For more information call the Lone Parent Helpline.
- You may be eligible for a housing grant or a home insulation grant. Contact your local authority for information about these.
- If you do not live with another adult, you will qualify for a 25 per cent discount on your Council Tax bill. Contact your local authority for information.
What if I am having trouble paying my rent or Council Tax?
If you are already receiving Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit and you need extra financial help so you can pay your housing costs, you can ask the Housing Benefit department for Discretionary Housing Payments. You do not have an automatic right to these payments, it is up to the local authority to decide, although there are some cases where they can not make a payment, for example, if it is to cover arrears of rent or service charges that you owe. Get advice from a benefits adviser when you apply and also if you are refused these payments. Contact your local authority for details.
I am a homeowner. How long will it be before I get help with housing costs?
In most cases you have to wait before anything is paid. The amount of time you have to wait depends on your circumstances, when you made your claim and when you agreed to the payment of the costs.
If you claim Income Support because your partner has died or abandoned you, or you are caring for someone who has claimed or is getting Attendance Allowance or the middle or higher rate of Disability Living Allowance, 50 per cent of allowable costs will be paid from the 9th week of your claim and then 100 per cent after 26 weeks. Otherwise, if you agreed to pay your mortgage or other housing costs after 1 October 1995, you will not receive anything for the first 39 weeks of the claim. After that you will receive 100 per cent of the allowable costs.
If your ex-partner was previously claiming Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance for the family, and you make a claim within 12 weeks of separating, the previous claim will count towards the waiting period.
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