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Get Help With Rent

If you’re on a low income, you may be able to get help with your rent through Housing Benefit or Universal Credit (UC).

We know this can feel confusing, so we’re here to guide you and make sure you’re getting the support you’re entitled to.

Check what you’re entitled to

If you’re not sure whether you should be on Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, you can use the Entitled To Benefits calculator to get a quick idea of the support available to you.

Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit is paid by your Local Council to help with your rent.

It can help with:

  • Rent
  • Some service charges

It doesn’t cover:

  • Water bills
  • Care or support charges
  • Certain heating costs

Housing Benefit is usually paid directly to us, four weeks in arrears. If it doesn’t cover your full rent, you’ll need to pay the rest yourself to avoid arrears.

If you think your award is wrong, you can ask the council to review it. Spitfire Services can help with advice and appeals if you need support.

Universal Credit (UC)

Universal Credit replaces several older benefits, including Housing Benefit. It’s paid monthly, and it includes money for your rent. You’ll need to use this rent element to pay us.

You may need to move to UC if your circumstances change, such as:

  • You move home
  • Your income changes
  • Your household changes

If you receive Universal Credit to help pay your rent, you will need to update your Universal Credit online account when your rent changes. This helps make sure you are paid the right amount and don’t lose money.

Universal Credit does not update your rent automatically when it changes. If you don’t tell them:

  • Your UC housing payment may stay at the old amount
  • You could be left with a shortfall to pay yourself

What you need to do

Step 1: Wait for the right time – You can only update UC after your rent change has started, not before.

Weekly rent: usually from 6 April
Monthly rent: usually from 1 April

Universal Credit will add a task to your account called “Confirm your housing costs”.

Step 2: Log into your Universal Credit account. Go to your online UC account, Check your To‑Do list, Open the task called “Confirm your housing costs”

Do not use “Report a change of circumstances” this can delay your payment.

Step 3: Enter your new rent details

Use the rent change letter we sent you to:

  • Confirm your new rent amount
  • Confirm any eligible service charges (if shown on your letter)

Make sure the amounts are entered exactly as shown.

What happens next?

Universal Credit will check the information with us

Your housing payment will then be updated

This can take up to a month, but your claim will reflect the new rent once confirmed

Please talk to us early. If your rent falls behind, we may have to request deductions from your UC. This can be up to £65 a month or 20% of your UC award, which could leave you short.

We know managing UC online can feel overwhelming. You’re not alone, we can help you get confident with the digital side of things.

Visit our Skills Hub at Topcliffe House where our team will be happy to support

  • Free computer access
  • Friendly Digital Champions on hand
  • Monday – Thursday, 9:30am – 12:30pm
  • If you’d like support, call 0121 748 8100.