Print This Page
Housing Benefit
Please note: as an older person, finding out which benefits you may be entitled to, and the impact they may have on other benefits, is not always straightforward. There is a huge amount of information available about benefits, but this can be overwhelming or confusing. We would always advise you to seek advice from an independent Welfare Rights Officer, who will be able to look at your individual situation and guide you through the applications process.
You can find details of local and citywide organisations that provide independent and free benefits advice on the Newcastle City Council website.
Housing Benefit aims to provide help towards rent and some of the service charges which you may have to pay for to live in your home. You may be entitled to Housing Benefit if you are on a low income.
To decide if you are entitled to Housing Benefit, Newcastle City Council will look at:
- the money you and your partner have coming in, including earnings, some benefits and tax credits, and things like occupational pensions;
- your savings and your partner's savings; and
- your circumstances, such as your age, the ages and size of your family, whether you or any of your family are disabled, and whether anyone who lives with you could help you with the rent.
To find out how to apply for Housing Benefit, visit the Newcastle City Council website.
Local Housing Allowance is a change to Housing Benefit for private tenants making new claims from April 2008. It affects how Housing Benefit is worked out and how it is paid. Local Housing Allowance (LHA) applies if you are renting a property or a room from a private landlord and you are on a low income. It does not apply to Your Homes Newcastle or Housing Association tenants.
For further information about Local Housing Allowance, visit the Directgov website.
You can talk to someone about all of the benefits you may be entitled to at an independent advice service. You can find your local advice service on the Newcastle City Council website.
Other useful information
Age UK's information on Housing benefit
Contact Information
Newcastle Welfare Rights Service
Brian Roycroft Centre, The Shopping Centre, Newbiggin Hall Estate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 4BR.
Telephone : 0191 277 2633.
Article last updated January 5, 2012 7:59 pm
