HOUSING BENEFIT UPDATE
Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit. You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if:
- you have reached State Pension age
- you are living in supported, sheltered or temporary housing
If you are getting Housing Benefit, you will receive a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The letter is called a ‘migration notice’. The notice will give you a deadline to apply for Universal Credit. If you don’t apply in time, you might receive less Universal Credit.
To find out more about moving to Universal Credit, visit Citizens Advice.
You may need to start paying rent on a new home before you can actually move in. In some situations, you may be able to get Housing Benefit to cover the rent.
Waiting for help from the Discretionary Assistance Fund
If you need to start paying rent on a new home before you move in, you may be able to get Housing Benefit for up to four weeks, provided that:
- you’re not already receiving Housing Benefit (in this case, you may be able to apply for Housing Benefit for two homes),
- you make your claim before you move in,
- you are waiting for a social fund payment (in Wales, the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF)) to help with your move,
- you have a child under six, you or your partner have reached state pension credit age, or you claim certain benefits that include payments for a disabled family member, and
- the delay in moving is reasonable.
So, for example, you should be able to get Housing Benefit for up to four weeks before you move in if you are a young parent with a baby and you’re moving out of your parents’ home and into your own place, but you are waiting to get money from the DAF so you can buy some furniture, as your new home is unfurnished.
Waiting for adaptations
If you can’t move into your new home until adaptations have been carried out because you, or someone you live with, is disabled, you can have Housing Benefit paid for up to four weeks before you move in.
Any work to make the home suitable for the disabled person counts, including redecorating and carpeting.
So, for example, if you are leaving a care home and moving into a bungalow, but you can’t move in until the bathroom has been adapted, then you might be able to get Housing Benefit on the bungalow for four weeks whilst the adaptations are being done.
Waiting to leave hospital or a care home
If you are waiting to leave hospital or a care home and you need to start paying rent on your new home, you might be able to get Housing Benefit for a maximum of four weeks on your new home. Your delay in moving into your new home must be reasonable (for example, you are having to stay in hospital for longer than you expected).
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This page was last updated: August 27, 2026
The information contained on this site is updated and maintained by Shelter Cymru and only gives general guidance on the law in Wales. It should not be regarded or relied upon as a complete or authoritative statement of the law.
