Can I Claim Housing Benefit?

You can claim Housing Benefit if

• You are liable to pay the rent
• The property is your main residence

You cannot claim Housing Benefit if

• You are not liable to pay the rent
• You have more than £16,000 in capital, savings and investments (unless you or your partner receives a Pension Credit)
• Your status in the UK excludes you from receiving public funds
• Your landlord is a close relative and they are also residing in the property
• You do not rent the property on a commercial basis
• You are a full time student, unless you also fall within one of the following categories:

1. Couples or Lone parents who are responsible for a child or young person.
2. Disabled.
3. Under 19 following a further (not higher) course.
4. Aged 60 or more
5. Receiving Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance (income based).

If you are in any doubt you should contact a member of staff for further information and guidance.

To claim Housing Benefit you will need to complete and sign an application form and in most cases provide supporting evidence. There are many ways to make a claim, but it is important that you do this as soon as possible as any delay may result in a loss of benefit.

Contact us

By telephone

020 7525 1880 - housing and council tax benefit
020 7525 1850 - council tax

By post

Council Tax Section
London Borough Of Southwark
P.O. Box 782
Bromley
BR1 3YE

Please indicate which department your query is for.

In person

Bermondsey One Stop Shop
Spa Road
Bermondsey
SE16 3QN

Peckham One Stop Shop
Ground Floor
Peckham Library
122 Peckham Hill Street
SE15 5JR

Walworth One Stop Shop
151 Walworth Road
London
SE17 1RY

Dulwich Area Housing Office
41-43 East Dulwich Road
Dulwich
SE22 9BY

All one stop shops are open from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. In addition, Peckham one stop shop is open on Saturday, 9am to 1pm.

By email

Housing/council tax benefit: souhousingbenefitsuk@liberata.com
Council tax: soucounciltaxuk@Liberata.com