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.
What are passported benefits?
Passported benefits are benefits that, once you have them, automatically allow you to collect other benefits.
Which benefits are passported benefits?
Benefits and tax credits which can passport you to other benefits or schemes include:
- Income support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit (Guarantee credit)
- Child Tax Credit
Even if you receive a very small amount of one of the above, you will be entitled to full Housing Benefit based on your eligible rent (less any relevant non-dependent deductions or over payment recovery). (Please note that if you rent from a private landlord, local housing allowance rules usually apply and full entitlement to housing benefit is limited to the weekly or monthly amount set by your local authority)
As well as Housing Benefit, if you receive a passported benefit you may also be entitled to:
housing grants;
help from energy efficiency grants;
Warm Home Discount Scheme.
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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.
