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What is Housing Benefit?
Who can claim Housing Benefit?
Making a claim
Appealing a Housing Benefit decision
Changes in circumstances
Extra help with your rent
Housing Benefit fraud
Contact us
Housing Benefit helps people pay their rent if they’re on a low income, or receiving certain benefits. If you make a successful claim, Housing Benefit can be monitored and managed through your online Bills and Benefits account.
You can claim Housing Benefit if you:
If you aren’t in one of these groups but still need help with your rent, you should apply for Universal Credit instead.
Please note, the system will ask you to log in or register for an account before starting.
To claim online you will need:
For council tenants, Housing Benefit will be credited onto your rent account in advance each week. For private rented and housing association tenants, Housing Benefit is paid every four weeks directly into a bank account.
Make a Housing Benefit claimIf you disagree with a Housing Benefit decision, you can:
You can appeal by email or in writing. The appeal must clearly state which decision you are appealing and the reasons why. The benefits team will review your appeal and let you know the outcome in writing.
You must submit an appeal within one month from the date on the decision letter. Appeals received after one month must explain why it is late. If you do not give any reasons we may not be able to process the appeal. The maximum period allowed for a late appeal is usually 13 months.
Appeal by email: benefits@reading.gov.uk
Appeal in writing: PO Box 26, Civic Offices, Reading, RG1 2LU
If you think the decision is still wrong, you can ask that your appeal is passed to the appeals service by email or in writing. It will then progress to an Independent Tribunal where a decision will be made.
If you receive Housing Benefit, you must tell the benefits team if there are any changes to your circumstances. If you don’t tell us about a change, we might not pay you enough, or we might pay you too much.
Find out if you need to report a changeDiscretionary Housing Payments are for people who need extra help with their rent when Housing Benefit or Universal Credit doesn’t cover the full amount. If you are suffering financial hardship or your tenancy is at risk, you may be able to get extra help.
The Government has set restrictions on how much money can be paid out in any financial year.Payments are usually a short term help for those going through difficult times.
View the full Discretionary Housing Payment Policy 2024-25
Apply for a Discretionary Housing PaymentHousing Benefit fraud is dealt with by the Department for Work and Pension (DWP) who are responsible for the investigation of Housing Benefit fraud.
Examples of fraud include:
You can report suspected Housing Benefit fraud in three ways:
Online
Report benefit fraud on the GOV.UK websiteBy phone
Call the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440 – lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Calls are free and confidential. You do not have to give your name or address. If you have speech or hearing problems you can use a text 0800 328 0512 instead. Welsh speakers can call on 0800 678 3722.
By post
Report suspected Housing Benefit fraud in writing to:
NBFH, PO Box 224, Preston, PR1 1GP
If you don’t have access to online services, you can contact us: