Advice on housing benefit

PopcornUK

I am a 31 year old male, still living with parents. I am on incapacity benefit which is made up with income support, due to long term illness. Would I be entitled to housing benefit ? I am getting a bit old to be living with my parents, and I should give them a break. I am paying them rent/housekeeping at the moment from my other benefits. I know I can't get housing benefit living with my parents.

I am single. What do I need to do to get housing benefit ? Do I need to find a place first ? Or apply first then find somewhere ? Does every rented place count, or only some ? Is the money paid in to my account or directly to the landlord ?

Sorry for all the questions, as much info as possible appreciated, thanks.

Robbie64

You need to find somewhere first as Housing Benefit / Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is only payable where there is a rent liability.

You find somewhere then claim LHA. As you are single, aged 25+ and getting Income Support you will get, depending on your eligible rent, an amount up to the LHA payable in your council area for a "1 bedroom self contained" property. Any rent above that amount will have to be made up by yourself. Eligible rent means rent that can be covered under the LHA scheme.

The money is paid directly to yourself.

See https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/Secure/LHARateSearch.aspx?SearchType=PostCode for current rates.