Single people

Most single people under 35 who rent from a private landlord will only get housing benefit to pay for a single room in a shared house. There are separate rules about housing benefit entitlements if you have been in care. Most full-time students can't claim housing benefit at all.

If you are single and over 35 or a couple with no dependants, you will in most cases be entitled to housing benefit or local housing allowance rate for a one bedroom property.

However, if you are sharing your accommodation with other people and don't have exclusive use of two or more rooms in this property, or exclusive use of one room and a toilet, kitchen or cooking facilities in this property, you will only be entitled to the shared rate of housing benefit, regardless of your age.

'Shared rate' for under 35s
'Single room rent' for under 25
I've been in care
I need overnight care

'Shared rate' for under 35s

When the Local Housing Allowance assessment scheme was introduced in April 2008 restrictions were placed on the amount of housing benefit that could be paid to single people aged under 25. The majority of people who fell into this category could only receive the “shared accommodation rate”. In January 2012 new regulations will extend the shared accommodation rate, so that it will apply to most single people under the age of 35.

‘Shared rate' will only cover payment for the:

exclusive use of one bedroom and
shared use of one or more of a kitchen, a bathroom, a toilet and a living room.

Some single people under 35 will be exempt from this rule and eligible for self contained accommodation. You could be exempt if you are:

entitled to severe disability premium,
a person with dependant children,
a person aged under 22 who has been in care
a person aged between 25 and 34 who is classed as a young offender and is believed to pose a risk of serious harm to others
a person aged between 25 and 34 who has spent a total of at least 3 months living in hostel accommodation for homeless people and who has accessed rehabilitative or resettlement services while in a homeless hostel.

On reaching the age of 22, a care leaver will become subject to the 'shared accommodation rate', provided they are single and have no dependants.

If the ‘shared rate' applies to you, but you wish to live in a non-shared accommodation, you will have to pay the difference between your rent and your housing benefit from your own money. Depending on the size and cost of your accommodation, this could be expensive.

If you are on the ‘shared rate' restriction and this is causing you financial hardship, you could try claiming a discretionary housing payment.

'Single room rent' for under 25s

The “Single room rent” is being phased out. Young people who currently receive the single room rent will be moved over to the Local Housing Allowance system when their claim is renewed after January 2012.

You may currently receive the "single room rent" if you

have been in receipt of housing benefit prior to 7 April 2008 (when local housing allowance was introduced);
have not had a break in your entitlement;
have not changed tenancies since.

The rules for ‘single room rent' are similar to those for ‘shared rate rent'. The maximum eligible rent allows for an exclusive use of one room and shared use of one or more of a bathroom, a kitchen and a room suitable for living in.

There are additional exceptions to the rule. You may be entitled to a higher rate if:

you are a single parent;
you are under 22 and have spent time in care since the age of 16;
you are severely disabled;
you share your accommodation with other people who could be expected to pay rent (non-dependants).

If you are on the single room rent restriction and this is causing you financial hardship, you could try claiming a discretionary housing payment.

I've been in care

If you are under 18 and you have spent time in care, you probably won't be able to claim housing benefit. However, social services will normally pay for your accommodation until you are 18. If you are having problems paying for your accommodation, you can apply to the Housing Executive for housing benefit.

If you are not in full-time education, you can claim housing benefit when you turn 18. If you have been in care, you may be able to get more than the 'shared rate' until you turn 22.

The rules about claiming housing benefit are very complicated. Get advice before you apply for housing benefit.

I need overnight care

From 1 April 2011 if you claim housing benefit or local housing allowance and you or your partner requires overnight care you may be entitled to an allowance for an additional bedroom. To qualify for this additional allowance you will need to satisfy certain criteria, e.g. you are in receipt of qualifying benefits and can prove that someone who is not usually resident in your home must regularly stay overnight to provide care for you or your partner.