Housing Benefit

Select the appropriate link below concerning Housing Benefit:

Apply for Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit link will open in new window is assistance offered by Poole Council towards the cost of accommodation.

Who can claim?

Anyone who is liable to pay rent for living in their home. Your landlord could be the Council, a Housing Association or a private landlord but it cannot be a close relative, such as your parents, if you live with them. You may rent a whole house or just a room and you may have a shared liability with other tenants.
If you do not have a rent liability none of the reasons below will apply.
If you currently claim a state benefit or allowance, such as JobSeeker's Allowance, Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance or State Retirement Pension you may be entitled to Housing Benefit.
If you receive a Tax Credit you may claim. The tax credit could be based on your earnings (Working Tax Credit), if you have children (Child Tax Credit), or if you are aged over 60 (Pension Credit).
You could be entitled even if you are not in receipt of any benefits but are on a low income.
You must live in the UK.

How much can I claim?

The amount of help will depend on your income, personal and family circumstances. The Council will ignore any income you may get from war pensions or widows pensions.

You can get an estimate of your Housing Benefit using the Department for Work and Pensions' online Benefits Advisor link will open in new window .

If you are already receiving Housing or Council Tax Benefit but the benefit payment amount does not cover your total rent/council tax bill and you are suffering hardship as a result, then you can apply for an additional Discretionary Housing Payment.

How do I claim Housing Benefit?

You can apply for Housing Benefit by:

Downloading and completing the Housing and Council Tax Benefit Claim Form
By contacting Financial Services
Using our online E-Claim form

Relevant Links: