Who Can Claim?
Housing Benefit
You can claim Housing Benefit if you are responsible for paying the rent for your home to a private landlord, a housing association or the Council.
If you are of working age - you can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if you live in temporary or "supported" accommodation. If you do not live in this type of accommodation, you must claim Universal 
Credit for your housing costs instead.
If you are of pesnion age - you can make a new claim for Housing Benefit. However, if you have a partner who is working age, you will likely need to claim Universal Credit for your housing costs instead.
The Government is planning to move new Housing Benefit claims for pensioners into Pension Credit, but no date has been confirmed for this yet.
If you are unsure about if you can claim Housing Benefit, please contact us for further advice.
Council Tax Support
You can claim Council Tax Support if you are the person (or one of the persons) who is responsible for paying the Council Tax for the property you live in.
If you are making a claim for Housing Benefit, you can make a claim for Council Tax Support on the same form. In general, the same information is required for us to be able to assess your claim. If you are told to make a claim for Universal Credit you will need to make a separate claim for Council Tax Support with Fareham Borough Council.
Who can not claim
You can not get Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support if:
- You (or your partner) have capital or savings of £16,000 or more (some capital can be disregarded, contact the Benefits Team for further information)
- You are not directly responsible for paying Council Tax
- You pay rent to a close relative or the partner of a close relative who lives in the same home as you
- You do not pay rent on a commercial basis
- You pay rent to an ex-partner for all or part of a home where you previously lived with your landlord as partners.
- You or your partner is responsible for your landlord's child.
If you are not sure whether you could claim Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support, please contact the Benefits Section for further information.