If you're on Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance and live in council or housing association accommodation you can probably have all your rent paid by HB.

If you're working, or on a low income, you may be entitled to HB to help with your rent.

It will be paid directly to the council or housing association. Remember HB will not cover the cost of bills like heating.

If you are a care leaver and aged 16 or 17 you probably don’t qualify for HB. Integrated Children's Service should give you support and accommodation.

If you’re on Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance you are probably entitled to maximum HB (it might not cover all your rent). The maximum you are entitled to depends on things like the size of your property and average rents in your area.

Before you move in, you can ask the council for a pre-tenancy determination to tell you how much HB they'll pay. This way, you can work out whether you can afford to live in the property.

If you’re on a low income, you may be entitled to some HB to help with your rent. You’ll probably have the amount you can claim restricted to the cost of a single room in a shared house. The restriction won't apply once you’ve had your baby.

The restriction doesn't apply if you've been in local authority care, although you can't usually claim HB if you are 16 or17 and have been in care. The local authority should provide your accommodation).