If you are on a low income, and pay rent for your home, you may be entitled to financial assistance towards your rent.
If you are classed as working age then, in most cases, any help could be met through Universal Credit which is administered by the Department for work and pensions (part of the UK central government, not the council).
If you are classed as a pensioner, then in most cases, any help with rent could be met through Housing Benefit which is administered by the council.
However, regardless of any other circumstances if any of the following circumstances apply to you, you cannot get any help with rent (from either housing benefit or universal credit).
you have savings of £16000 or above (unless you are receiving Guaranteed Pension Credit).
you are a close relative of your landlord, who also lives with you.
It is in respect of a property you have previously owned, in the last 5 years, unless you had to sell the property in order to continue living there.
If you have an ongoing entitlement to either Housing Benefit or the housing cost element of Universal Credit, and you are still struggling to met your rent, you may be able to apply for additional financial assistance through a discretionary housing payment.
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