The rules about housing benefit are complicated. This section outlines some of the most common problems you may experience with your housing benefit application.

Overpayment

You may get too much housing benefit if you don’t tell the Housing Executive when your personal circumstances change. You will usually have to pay this money back. More

I only get £1 a week

The Housing Executive will only give you £1 per week housing benefit if it believes that you are subject to the 1978 Rent Order. This means that you may have a protected tenancy and you may only have to pay your landlord £1 per week rent. More

Away from home temporarily

The Housing Executive will still pay your housing benefit if you have to live away from home temporarily. For example, you may have to leave because you are in hospital, in prison, looking after a relative or visiting family abroad. More

Housing benefit for two homes

Housing benefit is usually only available for one home. However, the Housing Executive may accept that you have to pay rent on two homes in certain circumstances. You may be able to get housing benefit for both homes for up to 52 weeks, if you intend to return to your original home. More