How to apply

Service update:  Essential ICT Maintenance on the Councils website

In order to maintain and enhance the security of our computer network, our website www.iow.gov.uk will be unavailable from 6pm on Friday 19 May until 8am on Monday 22 2023.

The websites and all associated services will be unavailable during this time. Our landline telephone systems will also be disrupted intermittently. If you need to undertake an online task with us please do so before 6pm on 19 May 2023.  

If you want to make a claim for Housing Benefit, or report a change of circumstance. Whilst the website is unavailable, please let us know by emailing housing.benefit@iow.gov.uk

Please note: Once the service has been resumed you will need to complete a claim through the Customer Portal.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Housing Benefit helps you pay your rent if you're on a low income.

You don’t need to apply for Housing benefit if you can get Universal Credit, as this includes money for your housing costs. You’ll need to claim Universal Credit to help with your rent.

You can claim housing benefit if:

• you and your partner have both reached state pension age
• you live in supported or temporary accommodation.

You are unlikely to be able to claim housing benefit if:

• you have savings over £16,000 unless you get Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
• you’re a full-time student in higher education unless you are disabled or have children.

You can upload evidence once you have submitted your form through the portal.

If you are self-employed, you will need to complete the self-employed form if you do not have audited accounts. 

Find out about the minimum income floor if you're applying for Local Council Tax Support.

If you have little to no income, you will need to complete the Nil income form.

If you only get handwritten pay slips, give the certificate of earnings form to your employer.

If you pay for child care from a registered child care and don’t have proof of payments, give the provider a child care costs form for completion.

If you need help paying your Council Tax apply for Local Council Tax Support.

We are authorised to accept claims online.

The maximum time we can backdate is one month for working age claimants.

You must show there was a ‘good cause’ for not making an earlier claim.

Pension age claimants are automatically entitled to their claim starting three months prior to the application being received.