How much can you get?

How much HB you get depends on:

• the “eligible” rent — what the government deems as the reasonable rent for a suitable property in the area;

• whether you have one or more spare rooms – if you do this amount is reduced (see page 69);

• your household income (including benefits, pensions and savings of over £6,000); and

• your circumstances — for example, the age of people in your household or if someone has a disability.

Local councils are responsible for paying HB, but it is gradually being abolished and paid instead as a housing element as part of UC administered by the Department for Work and Pensions. UC began in October 2013 for some new claims, but is now massively behind schedule (see Chapter 1). If you are getting HB while you are waiting for your benefits to be transferred to UC, you can choose whether to appeal against an HB decision or ask for it to be looked at again. However, once your benefits are transferred to UC, you will be covered by new appeal rules (see page 78).