Your benefit award explained

It is very important that you read your benefit letters carefully as it gives the information that is required.

Rent

You cannot get help with some of the things included in your rent, however low your income. This includes charges for services like:

  • water and sewerage,
  • fuel (for heating, lighting and cooking),
  • meals,
  • personal care or nursing.

If you pay your rent to a private landlord, we may ask the rent officer to look at how much rent you are paying for your home. We will base your eligible rent on the rent figure provided by the rent officer. In most cases your claim will be assessed in line with the Local Housing Allowance scheme.