People in Special Circumstances
Boarders
A boarder is someone who is living
- in a hotel or
- accommodation where food is provided, which is let commercially and does not involve staying with friends or relatives.
If you are a boarder, you can claim housing benefit to cover your accommodation costs. Housing Benefit will only be paid for rent and some service charges. You can not claim for payments made for meals and fuel charges.
You may also be able to Claim Council Tax Benefit
People who live in Hostels
If you live in a hostel you can claim Housing Benefit to cover your accommodation costs, but it will only be paid for rent and some service charges. You can not claim for payments made for meals and fuel charges.
You may also be able to Claim Council Tax Benefit.
People treated as Not Responsible for Paying Rent
Some people are treated as not responsible for paying rent, even though they have to pay it. These people are excluded from Housing Benefit. This could affect you if you:
- have a rent agreement that the local authority thinks is 'non-commercial'
- pay rent to a close relative (or partner's close relative) who lives in the property
- pay rent to a former partner (or partner's former partner) for accommodation you occupied before you separated
- pay rent to someone for whose child you (or your partner) are responsible
- pay rent to a company or trustee of a trust with which you are connected
- were previously a non-dependant of someone who lives in the home
- previously owned (or your partner previously owned) the home less than five years ago, unless you could not have continued to live there without giving up ownership
- occupy the home as a condition of your (or your partner's) employment by the landlord
- are a member of a religious order
- pay housing costs only to claim Housing Benefit. The local authority may decide that your rent agreement has been created 'to take advantage of the Housing Benefit scheme'.
Two Homes
A person is usually only entitled to Housing Benefit for one home. However, in some circumstances where a person is forced to maintain two homes, they may be able to get Housing Benefit for both homes for a limited period.
Absence from Home
A person who is temporarily absent from home can, in some circumstances, continue to get Housing Benefit for their home for a limited period.
People from Abroad
A person who has come to the UK from abroad may be excluded from Housing Benefit due to their immigration status, and/or because they do not pass the habitual residence test (which can apply to British citizens).
Students
Most students in full-time higher education cannot claim Housing Benefit. If you are a student you can only claim if you are:
- studying part-time; or
- under 19 and on a course which is NOT a higher education course; or
- a single parent; or
- a student with a disability; or
- 60 or over; or
- one of a couple, both of you are students and you have dependant children.
People living in Private Residential Care or Nursing Homes
Most people living in a private residential care or a nursing home cannot claim Housing Benefit.
Couples
From 5 December 2005 the term 'couple' is used to describe:
- married partners, or two people living together as if they are married
- civil partners, or two people living together as if they are civil partners.
The difference in rules between opposite sex and same sex couples no longer applies.
For more information about any of the above please contact the Council Tax and Benefits hotline.
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