Housing Benefit Calculator
Estimate Housing Benefit based on rent, LHA rate and income. Includes taper calculation.
Source: GOV.UK — Housing Benefit
By Konstantin Iakovlev · Founder, Calks.uk
Last updated: · Verified against HMRC and GOV.UK 2026/27 rates
Check at lha-direct.voa.gov.uk
Estimated Weekly Housing Benefit
£195.14
£845.63/month
| Weekly Rent | £200.00 |
| LHA Cap | £230.00 |
| Eligible Rent | £200.00 |
| Income Taper (65%) | -£4.86 |
| Housing Benefit | £195.14 |
Simplified estimate. Most new claims go through Universal Credit housing element. LHA rates vary by area and bedrooms.
Disclaimer
This calculator is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or tax advice. All calculations are performed locally in your browser — no personal data is collected or sent to our servers. Rates and thresholds are sourced from HMRC and GOV.UK and are updated for the current tax year. Always verify results with HMRC or consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
How It Works
Housing Benefit helps with rent costs for people on low incomes who have not yet moved to Universal Credit. The amount you receive depends on your eligible rent, household size, income and savings. If your savings exceed £16,000 you are generally not eligible, and savings between £6,000 and £16,000 are treated as generating £1 per week per £250 (tariff income).
For private tenants, the maximum Housing Benefit is capped at the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate for your area and property size. LHA rates are set at the 30th percentile of local rents and vary significantly by postcode. You are entitled to one bedroom per adult couple, per person over 16, and per pair of children under 16 of the same sex.
Working-age claimants on Housing Benefit are being moved to Universal Credit. New claims are only accepted from people of State Pension age or in supported accommodation. This calculator estimates your potential entitlement based on current LHA rates and income rules.
Housing Benefit — being replaced by UC Housing Element. Most working-age claimants have moved to Universal Credit Housing Element. Housing Benefit still pays: pensioners (over State Pension age), people in temporary accommodation, supported/specified accommodation. UC Housing Element follows similar rules but paid as part of UC.
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) — for private renters. LHA caps the housing benefit/UC housing element by area and household size. Set annually by local authority based on 30th percentile of local rents. 2026/27 example London zone 2 2-bedroom LHA: £350-£450/week. Below LHA: paid full eligible rent. Above LHA: tenant pays difference. LHA frozen 2020-2024, then uprated to 30th percentile April 2024, frozen again 2026.
Bedroom Tax (under-occupancy penalty). Affects social housing tenants of working age. 1 spare bedroom: -14% housing benefit/UC housing element. 2+ spare bedrooms: -25%. Exemptions: disabled needs separate bedroom; foster carers; armed forces children temporarily away; same-sex children under 16 sharing. Does not apply to: pensioners, private rented properties.
Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP). Top-up payments from local authority to cover housing shortfalls. Apply directly to council. Common reasons: bedroom tax shortfall, LHA shortfall, rent arrears, moving costs, deposit. Subject to council's discretion — application success rate 40-60%. Time-limited (typically 3-6 months) but can be renewed. Demand exceeds budget in most councils.
Example: Single person, £150/week rent, £200/week income
- LHA rate for 1-bed in local area: £160/week
- Eligible rent (lower of actual and LHA): £150/week
- Applicable amount (personal allowance): £90.50/week
- Excess income: £200 - £90.50 = £109.50
- Taper at 65%: £109.50 x 65% = -£71.18
- Weekly Housing Benefit: £150 - £71.18 = £78.82
Source: GOV.UK — Housing Benefit
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does the Housing Benefit Calculator do?
- Estimate Housing Benefit based on rent, LHA rate and income. Includes taper calculation.
- Are benefit amounts accurate?
- This calculator uses the published 2026/27 benefit rates. However, actual entitlements depend on a full assessment by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and may differ from estimates.
- How do I claim this benefit?
- You can apply for most benefits through GOV.UK or your local Jobcentre Plus. Some benefits require an online application; others may require a phone call or paper form.