Can I claim?
To apply for Housing Benefit you must:
- Normally live at the property you are applying for
- Be liable to pay rent for the property
And either be :
- Pension Age
- In supported or exempt accommodation
If you have over £16,000 in savings you will not normally qualify for any benefit unless you receive Guaranteed Pension Credit.This is not a full list, for more details please visit GOV.UK
What if I am of working age?
Universal Credit now applies for working age residents living in Conwy County for new claims and certain changes in circumstances.
You will not be able to make a new claim for Housing Benefit if you are working age, apart from in very specific circumstances.
Help towards your rent will be through Universal Credit, which you claim through the Department for Work and Pensions.
For more details please see www.conwy.gov.uk/universalcredit or telephone the Benefit Office on 01492 576491.
If you are liable to pay council tax at the property you live in, you will need to apply for Council tax reduction.
How do I claim Housing Benefit?
If you think that you could qualify for Housing Benefit you will need to apply online
How do you work it out?
Each year the Government gives us figures showing the amount people should have to meet their basic needs. The amounts vary depending on your circumstances.
The amount of benefit may be reduced if there are other adults living in the household.
How much can be awarded?
Every privately rented property has a Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate. The maximum amount of benefit you can get is 100% of this rate. You would normally get this amount if you are on Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (Income based), Employment and Support Allowance (Income related).
| Number of Rooms | (from April 2024) |
|---|
| Shared accommodation |
£78.80 |
| 1 bedroom |
£90.90 |
| 2 bedroom |
£126.58 |
| 3 bedroom |
£149.59 |
| 4 bedroom |
£196.77 |
LHA rates calculator
Backdated claims
If you think you have good cause for a late claim, please make sure that you apply for this time period. The maximum period we can consider is 1 month.
Still not sure if you qualify? Don't miss out, make a claim . To make a backdated claim, you will need to apply online or by visiting our offices.
If your circumstances change
Any change in your circumstances could affect your claim.
If you don’t update us in time, you could miss out or have to pay money back.
Please use the form that applies to you to tell us about the change in your circumstances.
Need help?
If you need a paper form or want help completing any of our forms you can:
Email: benefits@conwy.gov.uk
Phone: 01492 576491