Housing Benefit, sometimes called rent allowance, is paid by local authorities to people on a low income to help them with their rent.
Only those who have a low income and are paying rent are elligible. It does not matter if you are paying rent to the Council as a Council tenant or to a private landlord.
To work out your Housing Benefit, the council will look at:
- money you and your partner have coming in, including earnings, some benefits and tax credits and things like occupational pensions.
- your savings and your partner's savings.
- your circumstances, such as your age, the ages and size of your family, whether you or any of your family are disabled, and whether anyone who lives with you could help with the rent.
The council will also look at whether:
- the amount of rent is reasonable for your particular home.
- your home is a reasonable size for you and your family.
- the amount of rent is reasonable for the area your home is in.
If you are in any doubt please contact our Benefits Division or visit us at the Civic Offices in Epping. Or e-mail benefits@eppingforestdc.gov.uk.
Contact telephone numbers are:
- 01992 564 155
- 01992 564 156
- 01992 564 157
Please download an application form from the Department of Works and Pensions website here. Then please return to form to:
Benefits Division
Epping District Council
High Street
Epping
Essex
CM16 4BZ