What money is counted when working out your claim

We count any money you have coming in. This includes things like:

  • Department for Work and Pensions benefits
  • maintenance
  • works pensions
  • wages
  • Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.

What about other money I have?

Small amounts of savings and investments, including current accounts may not affect your claim, but you must tell us about them. You’ll need to tell us about your partner’s accounts too. People with over £16,000 in savings will not normally qualify for any benefit.

Working age claimant: You can have up to £6,000 capital before it affects your benefit entitlement. When we work out your entitlement to housing benefit a tariff of £1 will be applied for every £250 between £6,000 and £16,000.  

Pension age claimant: You can have up to £10,000 capital before it affects your benefit entitlement. When we work out your entitlement to housing benefit a tariff of £1 will be applied for every £500 between £10,000 and £16,000.