Can You Get Housing Benefit If You Are On State Pension?

When it comes to claiming Housing Benefit, there is an eligibility criterion for claimants to follow. This is the reason why we aim to learn through this blog post if you can get Housing Benefit if you are on State Pension. We will also explore how to claim Housing Benefit; as well as how State Pension and your savings affect the benefits you claim.

Can You Get Housing Benefit If You Are On State Pension?

Yes, you can claim Housing Benefit if you are on a State Pension. This applies both to individuals who are applying on their own to claim the benefit or those who have a partner (your partner’s State Pension age will also be taken into consideration for a Housing Benefit claim).

However, in addition, to being on a State Pension, you should be able to fulfil the below-mentioned criteria to claim Housing Benefit:

  • you are liable to pay rent for and are living in the property that you are claiming for (this includes a private landlord, social landlord or local council) 
  • you are on a low income
  • your savings are less than £16,000

If the DWP find evidence that an individual has deliberately reduced their capital so that they can be eligible for state benefits such as Housing Benefit, the government will consider it as notional capital. This means that despite not owning the owner, the capital items will be included in their means test and considered to be part of the owner’s possession.

Generally speaking, the basic criteria that make a claimant eligible for Housing Benefit states that one should:

  • live mainly in the UK
  • be at least 16 years of age (18 years in case they’ve been in care)
  • earn a low income or claim other benefits as well 
  • have savings that amount to less than £16,000 or receive the guarantee part of Pension Credit

If a claimant receives a Guarantee Pension Credit, they will be able to claim the full amount of Housing Benefit.

In addition to Housing Benefit, claimants can continue to receive the below-listed benefits even after they are over the State Pension age as long as they are on a low income:

  • Council Tax Support
  • Support for Mortgage Interest
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Child Tax Credit 
  • Help with Health Costs
  • Cold Weather Payment
  • Warm Home Discount Scheme

How Can You Claim Housing Benefit On State Pension?

Based on your circumstances, you claim Housing Benefit while claiming State Pension in the following ways:

  • If you are single and on State Pension, you can file a new claim
  • If you live with a partner, you can claim Housing Benefit if both you and your partner have reached the State Pension age
  • If you live with a partner and only one of you has reached State Pension age and they have started claiming Pension Credit before 15 May 2019
  • If you are in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

However, if any of the below-listed situations apply to you, you will not be able to claim Housing Benefit:

  • the claimant has savings above £16,000 (unless they get Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit)
  • the claimant is paying a mortgage on their own home
  • the claimant lives in the home of a close relative
  • the claimant receives Universal Credit
  • the claimant lives with a partner who is already claiming Housing Benefit
  • the claimant is an asylum seeker or sponsored to be in the UK
  • the claimant is subject to immigration control and cannot claim public funds
  • the claimant is a Crown Tenant

How Are Benefits Affected By State Pension Age?

There are some welfare benefits that individuals can claim only once they reach the State Pension age, while there are others that they will not be able to claim any longer.

For instance, benefits that individuals can claim once they reach the State Pension age include the following:

  • Basic State Pension Or New State Pension
  • Attendance Allowance
  • Pension Credit
  • Winter Fuel Payment

On the other hand, benefits that you will not be able to claim once you reach the State Pension age include these:

  • Income-Based Job Seeker’s Allowance
  • Income Related Employment And Support Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Universal Credit

If you’ve been receiving Jobseeker’s Allowance or New Style Employment And Support Allowance earlier, you will not be able to claim to do so once you reach State Pension age.

Similarly, you will not be able to file a new claim for the following benefits once you reach the State Pension age:

  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Adult Disability Payment
  • Personal Independence Payment
  • Bereavement Support Payment
  • Widowed Parents’ Allowance

Benefits that are not affected by your State Pension age and will be available in the same way as before you claimed State Pension include the following:

  • Child Benefit
  • Carer’s Allowance
  • Guardian’s Allowance
  • Statutory Sick Pay

Do Your Savings Affect Housing Benefit?

Yes, your savings will affect your Housing Benefit claim if you are on a State Pension as your benefit payment will increase as your savings decrease. This means that for every pound above £6,000, your benefit payment will decrease. On the other hand, individuals who have savings of less than £6,000 can claim the full amount of Housing Benefit.

Housing Benefit is a means-tested benefit. This means that the claimants’ income and savings affect their benefits claim and the payments that they receive will reduce with an increase in their savings.

When the DWP assesses your income and savings for your Housing Benefit claim, they will include different forms of capital such as the following:

  • cash
  • money in a bank account or a building society account
  • National Savings and Investments accounts; including Premium Bonds or Income Bonds
  • stocks, bonds and Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs)
  • property that is not your main home

Conclusion:

We’ve learnt through the above discussion that you can claim Housing Benefit if you are on State Pension; as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. Additionally, if you get a Guarantee Pension Credit, you will be able to claim the full amount of the Housing Benefit.

FAQs: Can You Get Housing Benefit If You Are On State Pension?

Can I claim Housing Benefit as a pensioner?

Yes, you can claim Housing Benefit as a pensioner as long as you are on a low income.

What is the maximum Housing Benefit for a pensioner?

The maximum Housing Benefit for a pensioner is 100% of the eligible rent that they can claim; once utility expenses and non-dependent charges are deducted.

Can you get help with rent when you retire?

Yes, you can get help in the form of Pension Credit and Housing Benefit with rent when you retire.

Does income affect Housing Benefit?

Yes, your income affects Housing Benefit. This can include income from your earnings, pensions, other state benefits or rent received from tenants or boarders.

Can you claim Housing Benefit while working?

Yes, you can claim Housing Benefit while working. This is a state benefit aimed to provide financial support for housing costs to individuals with a low income.

References:

Benefits for people who are State Pension age – Lancashire County Council

Housing benefit advice | Age UK

Housing Benefit: Eligibility – GOV.UK

State Pension age and benefits