Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit is a national welfare benefit to help you to pay your rent if you are on a low income.

Who is it for?

Anyone paying rent in council property, privately rented accommodation, hostels and housing association accommodation (if you live in privately rented accommodation you may be eligible for a Local Housing Allowance).

You may also be eligible for Discretionary Housing Payments if your Housing Benefit is less than the full amount of your rent.

icon 8Use the benefits calculator to find out what you could get, or check your income to see if you are eligible.

Apply for a Housing Benefit

Post or hand in your application to the Benefits Service.

Use the following form if you receive Income Support, income based Job Seekers Allowance, Guarantee Credit, or income related Employment and Support Allowance.

Use the following form if you are in any other circumstance.

You will also need to provide original documents as proof of your identification, rent, income, and savings.

If your circumstances change when you are on a benefit, you must tell the Benefits Service.

Bedroom Tax

Bedroom tax cuts the amount of Housing Benefit that you can get if you are considered to have a spare bedroom.


Benefits Service
Access Oldham
Civic Centre
West Street
Oldham, OL1 1UG
Tel 0161 770 6633
Fax 0161 770 4945

More housing help...

Housing grants, loans and benefits