Campaigns & issues

Don't pay more rent than you need to

Your landlord won’t reduce your rent‚ but Housing Benefit might!

You could be one of up to 350‚000 older people who are entitled to Housing Benefit but are not receiving it. A simple claim could reduce your rent bills each week and cover some service charges like lifts and communal laundry facilities.

Can I claim it?

• You must have responsibility for paying the rent.
• If you are a couple‚ only one of you can claim it.
• You cannot usually be living in a close relative’s household.
• You need to have less than £16‚000 in savings. However‚ if you get Guarantee Credit (see page 6) there is no savings limit and your rent is likely to be fully covered by the benefit. The main exception would be if you have someone living with you‚ e.g. a grown up son or daughter‚ who is expected to contribute to the rent.

You can get a claim form by phoning the Housing and Council Tax Benefit section of your local council or by visiting the Department for Work and Pensions website.

If you are claiming Pension Credit you can claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit in the one call.

Age Concern and Help the Aged can help you

Call us today:

• Age Concern National Information Line: 0800 00 99 66
• Help the Aged SeniorLine: 0808 800 6565

Age Concern National
Information Line
0800 00 99 66

Help the Aged SeniorLine
0808 800 6565