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Get advice on Universal Credit, Discretionary Housing Payments, free childcare and other benefits to help with paying your rent and with the cost of living, or contact our money advisors for more help.
Benefits like Universal Credit help you pay your rent and living costs. You could be entitled to claim these depending on circumstances like your income, if you have children and where you live.
Our team of money advisors can help you work out if you’re claiming the right benefits and help you apply any that you qualify for. If you’re struggling with debt, they can also refer you to specialist debt support, and give you advice if you’re having trouble paying your rent.
Contact our money advisors now through My Account or email the team at Citizen.adviceservices@citizenhousing.org.uk.
Universal Credit is a benefit payment that helps you with your living costs and rent. It’s paid into your account at regular intervals. To qualify for it, you need to meet certain criteria.
It replaces the following benefits:
● Housing Benefit
● Child Tax Credit
● Income Support
● Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
● Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
● Working Tax Credit
You can find out more about Universal Credit on GOV.uk.
To claim Universal Credit, you need to meet some criteria. You can find out more on the Government’s website, or you can use their benefits calculator.
If you’d like more help understanding what you’re entitled to, or you’re not sure if you can claim benefits, we can help.
Get in touch with our team of money advisors through My Account now.
Housing Benefit is a benefit that is now being phased out and replaced by Universal Credit. It helps you pay your rent and can be claimed by people who are not in work, on a low income or are claiming other benefits.
There are still circumstances where you can make a new Housing Benefit claim, like if you’re living in temporary accommodation, you’ve reached state pension age or if you live in sheltered housing.
If you’ve swapped from Housing Benefit to Universal Credit, your payment will now go into your account instead of directly to us. That means you’ll need to remember to pay us your rent as it won’t happen automatically anymore.
Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are additional payments you can claim to help you cover the cost of rent. You need to apply for this through your local council.
You can only claim DHP if you’re in receipt of housing benefit, or the housing element of Universal Credit.
You might be able to claim up to 30 hours of free childcare a week if you live in England, you’re in work and your child is aged between nine months and four years.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to apply for a reduction in your council tax bill. Find out more on our website.
If you’re having trouble claiming benefits, don’t put it off – especially if it affects your rent payments. Get in touch with us right away and ask to chat to our money advisors who will be able to help.
If you're struggling to pay your rent, please don't keep it to yourself. Let us know as soon as possible so we can help you work out a plan.
Contact us now via My Account or find out more on our getting help to pay your rent page.
It can be harder to access benefits and manage your finances if you don’t have internet access. Our digital inclusion officer can help you get online – call us on 0300 7906 530 and ask to speak to our digital inclusion team.
Try these helpful online tools to make sure you’re getting everything you’re entitled to, plus free advice and financial guidance.
● Benefits calculator on GOV.uk - find out what benefits you could get
● Money Helper Service - get free financial support
● Bank account guide from the Money Helper Service - helpful information about opening a bank account and budgeting
● Money Advice Service budget planner
● GOV.uk cost of living support
