Universal credit and Housing Benefit can usually only help with rent for 1 home that you normally live in.
If you must pay rent at more than 1 address, you may be able to claim for both homes in the following situations -
- you've left your usual home because of fear of violence
- you're waiting for disability adaptations on your new home
- you've moved within the last 4 weeks and still have to pay rent for your old home
- you're housed by the council in 2 properties because of the size of your family
Fear of violence
If you've left your home temporarily because of -
- domestic abuse
- other violence such as fear of violence from neighbours
- racist attacks on your home
You may be able to get help with both -
- rent on your usual home
- housing costs in alternative accommodation
You can get this help for up to 1 year if you intend to return to your usual home within this time.
You may have to make a separate claim for Housing Benefit if you are on Universal Credit, but you are staying in a refuge or some type of temporary housing.
If you are waiting for a disability adaptation
You may be able to get help with rent for both your old and new home if -
- your new tenancy has started, and you have to pay rent
- you cannot move into your new home because you are waiting for adaptations for you or a disabled household member
With Universal Credit, you can only get help with rent on your new home before moving in if the disabled family member also gets one of the following benefits -
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - middle or high care component
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - daily living component
- Attendance Allowance
If you qualify, you can only get help with rent on both homes for up to 1 month.
If you have moved within the last 4 weeks
You may be able to get help with rent at your old home and your new home for up to 4 weeks but only if there's an unavoidable overlap with your tenancies when you move. This is only available when you are claiming Housing Benefit not Universal Credit.
You must have moved into your new home to get help with the rent there. Example, if you had to accept and move in a council home quickly but also had to give notice on your private tenancy.
Reporting changes when you move home
It is important to report changes promptly if you move out temporarily or permanently.
Report a change in circumstance or request an overlap of benefit on the blue button below
