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How Do You Work Out My Benefit Entitlement?
I receive a passported benefit
The following are passported benefits:
- Jobseeker's Allowance (income-based)
- Pension Credit (guaranteed element)
- Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)
If you are in receipt of a passported benefit, you will normally be able to get all of your eligible weekly rent paid by Housing Benefit.
If you are a private tenant, this will be in line with Local Housing Allowance rates. You will also normally be able to get all of your Council Tax paid by Council Tax Benefit.
Other household members can have an affect on your claim. You may get less than the maximum amount if you have any non-dependants sharing your home.
I do not receive a passported benefit
If you are not in receipt of a passported benefit or you earn an income, we will compare your weekly income, including any added amount for your capital, with a standard amount which is set by the Government. This standard amount is called an Applicable Amount.
The Applicable Amount is different for every person. It depends on a variety of factors, for example:
- your age
- whether or not you have a partner or children
- whether anyone in your household is disabled
It is made up of Personal Allowances, for general needs, and Premiums, for special needs.
Your Applicable Amount, and how it has been calculated, is shown on your decision letter. The back of the letter gives a full list of all the Personal Allowances and Premiums.
If your weekly income is less than, or the same as, your Applicable Amount, we pay the maximum benefit, less amounts for any Non-dependants.
If your weekly income is more than your Applicable Amount we take 65p off your maximum Housing Benefit, and 20p off your maximum Council Tax Benefit for each £1 your income is more than your Applicable Amount.
Whilst the minimum Housing Benefit payable is 50p per week, there is no minimum Council Tax Benefit.
Can I get an estimate of how much benefit I may be entitled?
Yes, you can use the Web Benefits Calculator to do a trial calculation.
Special notes for people using the Web Benefits Calculator
- If you are a private tenant, the amount of housing benefit you may be entitled to depends on the rates and conditions set by the Local Housing Allowance
- If you have other adults living with you, you must complete step 12 of the calculator even if you are receiving Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Guaranteed Pension Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
- Remember to include any benefit/allowance you are entitled to receive, even if it is not being paid to you because you are receiving another benefit/allowance. For example, you may be entitled to Carer's Allowance, but are not being paid it because you are receiving another benefit, such as Widow's Pension. In this case you should indicate that you are being paid Carer's Allowance.
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