To claim housing benefit, the person must be responsible for paying the rent. A partner of someone who is responsible may also claim Housing Benefit but only one partner can claim for the same property.

Anyone who has capital over £16,000 will be disqualified from housing benefit except if they are on Pensions Credit Guaranteed Credit (PCGC).

You may qualify for full benefit if you are on Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance (Income Based), Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related) and Pension Credit (guaranteed) - you can apply for these at your Job Centre.

Owner-occupiers may be able to get help from the DWP with their mortgage interest from Income Support, Income-Based Jobseeker's Allowance or Income Related Employment and Support Allowance or Pension Credit.

There are special rules for people in board and lodgings and hostels, people in private residential care and nursing homes, people who have two homes or are temporarily away from home, people who live in someone else's home and students.

You can use the Online Benefits Calculator to work out your entitlement

We also offer useful advice to help residents find work and make the most of their household budgets. 

We have also made available a Directory of Employment Support Services in Harrow to help local residents find work.