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Claiming Housing Benefit on two homes

Housing Benefit is usually only paid for the home in which you are living and paying rent. There are some circumstances in which you may be able to get help for two homes, for example:

  • You have moved into other rented property due to fear of violence
  • You are a student or trainee, one of a couple, and have to live in separate rented property because of your course or work
  • You have a large family and the council has housed you in two separate properties
  • You have moved to a new home which you have to pay rent for but you must still pay rent for your old home

Fear of violence

Housing Benefit may be paid if you have left your former home and remain absent due to fear of violence occurring either in your home by another person or outside your home by a former member of your family.

In all cases, we must consider if it is reasonable to do so and Housing Benefit may be paid for a maximum of 52 weeks. For benefit to be paid, you must intend to return to and live in the home you left. We will not normally pay Housing Benefit if someone else is living in your home while you are absent.

Students or trainees

Most full-time students are not eligible for Housing Benefit. Couples where one or both partners are students and are living in separate rented property may receive benefit for both properties. If you think this may apply to you please contact us.

More on students and Housing Benefit »

Large families

If you have a large family and the council has housed you in two separate dwellings because your household is too large for them to place you in one home, Housing Benefit may be paid on both properties. To qualify, both properties must be public housing whether or not provided directly by the council and should be adjacent to each other.

There is no time limit for this provision.

Unavoidable overlapping Housing Benefit

If you have moved to a new home which you rent and you still have to pay rent for your old home, help may be available. If the situation is unavoidable, for example if you were offered a new home to rent but were unable to give your landlord the notice he required, Housing Benefit may be paid for up to 4 weeks on your old home. For this to be considered, you must have moved into your new home.