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Toolkit for local authorities, housing providers and support organisations in the social rented sector, providing information on the removal of the spare room subsidy.

• Updated: 4 February 2021

Housing Benefit or Local Housing Allowance (LHA) - rates, eligibility, claim form, calculator, appeals, 'Discretionary Housing Payment'.

• Eligibility

  Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low…

• What you'll get

  You may get help with all or part of your rent. There’s no set amount of…

• Supporting your claim

  You’ll need to provide some information and evidence to support your claim…

• How to claim

  Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Most people will…

• Report a change of circumstances

  You need to report a change of circumstances for you and anyone else in…

• Other help with housing costs

  Housing Benefit will not cover heating, hot water, energy or food. If you…

Universal Credit can include help with housing costs - paying your landlord, what to do if you cannot pay your rent, other help you can get.

• What you can get

  If you’re eligible for Universal Credit, you can get an extra amount of…

• Renting from a private landlord

  If you’re eligible for Universal Credit you can get help towards your rent…

• Renting from the local authority or housing association

  If you’re eligible for Universal Credit you can get help paying your rent…

• Living in a property you own

  You could get a Universal Credit payment to help you pay for service…

• How to claim

  If you already get Universal Credit, apply for support with housing costs…

Renting a room in your home out - Rent a Room Scheme, types of tenancy or licence, rent, bills, tax and ending a letting

Research carried out by the Department for Work and Pensions on public perceptions of the removal of the spare room subsidy.

• Updated: 8 November 2013

This series brings together all documents relating to Other

• Updated: 25 April 2013

Statistical release gives estimates of the number of spare bedrooms in 2010-11 for all working age households in the social rented sector.

• Updated: 14 May 2013

A disability premium is extra money if you’re under Pension Credit age and registered blind or getting certain benefits - what you get, eligibility, apply

Everything you need to know about how to become a sponsor including things to consider and thank you payments.

• Updated: 3 November 2025

Foster carers look after children when their parents are not able to - becoming a foster carer, money and support available, fostering agencies, foster parents