Housing Benefit

How to apply

You can apply for housing benefit online using Apply Once. It will also check your entitlement for:

  • Council tax reduction
  • second adult rebate
  • Council tax discounts and exemptions
  • free school meals
  • school clothing grant
  • discretionary housing payments
  • disablement band reduction
  • garden aid
  • parking permit

Apply Once


Upload evidence

You can upload documents online.

Upload evidence for Housing Benefit

Upload evidence for Discretionary Housing Payment


If your circumstances change

You must report changes immediately to avoid overpayments. Examples include:

  • change of address
  • people moving in or out
  • starting or stopping work
  • changes in income, savings, childcare or benefits
  • health condition changes
  • you must report if you are going to be temporarily absent from Great Britain (Scotland, England or Wales) for 4 weeks or more
  • you must also report if you are going to be temporarily absent from your main dwelling for 13 weeks or more, even if you remain within Great Britain

Report a change in circumstances

Read our guidance on change of circumstances

Page last modified: 18 May 2026