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Luton Borough Council

Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits. It’s being replaced by Universal Credit.


Can I claim Housing Benefit?

You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if either of the following apply:

If you can’t claim Housing Benefit, you should apply for Universal Credit.

You can use our online benefits calculator to find out what you can claim.

Go to benefit and budgeting calculator

How to apply

Applying for Housing Benefit online takes between 10 minutes and 30 minutes.

You can save and return to an application if you need. Return to a saved application .

You may also be able to claim Council Tax Reduction if you’re claiming Housing Benefit.


Understanding your award

Your award letter, provides a breakdown of your entitlement and the calculations used.

Your award letter explained

Tell us about a change

You need to tell us straight away about any change that could affect how much Housing Benefit you get.

Report a change

Upload documents securely

How to send us the evidence we need to support your housing benefit claim or a change in circumstances.

Documents to support your application

Statement of reasons and disputes

If you think that your Housing Benefit decision is wrong then you can ask us to look at it again and review it.

Disputes and appeals

Backdating housing benefit payments

Sometimes we can pay benefit for a limited period before you make your claim. This is called backdating.

Backdating payments

Overpayments

How to repay us if we pay you too much Housing Benefit.

Repay an overpayment

Discretionary housing payment

If you get Housing Benefit or Universal Credit but are struggling to pay your rent, you may be able to get extra help.

More about discretionary housing payment

Specified accommodation

Allows exemptions from the rules restricting how much rent is used in the benefit calculation.

More about specified accommodation

Housing Benefit questions

Answers to the most asked questions about Housing Benefit

See most asked questions

Manage your council tax and benefits online

To apply for or view Council Tax and benefits online, you will need to register online.

Register online

Landlords change bank details request

If you are a landlord who currently receives Housing Benefit payments on behalf of your tenant, you may request to change your bank account details using this form.

Request a change for Housing Benefit payment details form

Help with online benefits services

Help with our secure online service that helps you to manage your Council Tax account and applying for benefits.

Get help with online services

Enquiry form

Contact us via this form if you can't find the information you're looking for.

Complete our enquiry form

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