Help with your rent for mixed age couples
New claims
If you are making a new claim for help with your rent you will need to apply for Universal Credit if the older person of the couple:
- is the benefit claimant, and
- has reached state pension age
Visit GOV.UK to check your state pension age
If you are making a new claim for help with your rent you can apply for either Housing Benefit or Universal Credit if the younger person of the couple:
- is the benefit claimant, and
- has not reached state pension age, and
- is receiving income support, income-based ESA or income-based JSA
Change of circumstances
If there is a change in your circumstances after 15 May 2019, you may have to claim Universal Credit if you are:
- receiving Housing Benefit, and
- a mixed aged couple
For example, if the older person of the couple is the benefit claimant (and has reached state pension age) your Housing Benefit payments may end. If that happens, the older person should make a new claim for Universal Credit.
However, if the younger person of the couple is the benefit claimant (and has not reached state pension age), the couple is classified as a working age couple and the Housing Benefit payments will continue.
Help with Council Tax
You will still need to make a claim for Council Tax support whether you are claiming Universal Credit or Housing Benefit.
Page last updated: 28 April 2023
