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 can claim Housing Benefit for a mobile home if you have a low income or receive benefits. Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent or site fees.
I rent my mobile home – can I claim Housing Benefit?
Yes. If you are state pension age you can make a claim for Housing Benefit towards your rent and site fees in the usual way.
Mobile homes include caravans occupied by people with a travelling tradition, such as Gypsies and Travellers.
If you are making a new claim for help with rent you will probably have to claim housing costs under universal credit unless you have reached pension age.
I own my mobile home but I pay pitch fees – can I get Housing Benefit?
Yes. You can get Housing Benefit towards the pitch fees even if you own your mobile home.
How is Housing Benefit on mobile homes calculated?
The rent officer at the council will decide what the ‘maximum rent’ payable for your mobile home is. They should work this out by looking at rents for similar properties in your area. They should look at traditional ‘bricks and mortar’ homes as well as mobile homes.
Gypsies and Travellers on council-owned sites
The maximum amount of rent that qualifies for Housing Benefit can only be restricted if:
- the council says your mobile home is too large for your needs
- the rent is unreasonably high.
This applies if you stay on a council owned site or live in a mobile home or caravan provided by a council on a travellers’ site.
For more advice and support visit the Gypsies and Travellers Wales.
What if I still can’t afford the rent?
If you get some Housing Benefit but are having difficulty paying the rest of the rent yourself, you may be able to get a discretionary housing payment to help make up the difference.
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This page was last updated: May 18, 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.
