Help with rent and council tax comes from different parts of the UK system and often requires separate applications. This hub covers the main housing support routes, from Universal Credit housing costs and Housing Benefit through to Council Tax Reduction and the Benefit Cap.
Use the main estimator first, then move into the worked examples and explainers that match the change you are trying to understand.
Free Universal Credit calculator for 2026/27. Estimate UC from earnings, rent, children and savings, including the £6,000, £16,000 and tariff income rules.
Check whether a legacy Housing Benefit case may still qualify using weekly rent, income, savings and pension-age status.
Estimate possible council tax support using local-bill size, income, benefits and savings. Independent UK checker.
Check whether your monthly benefits appear to be above the current cap inside or outside Greater London, using the current family and single-adult limits.
UK rent and council tax support 2026/27: Universal Credit housing costs, Housing Benefit eligibility and Council Tax Reduction explained.
Universal Credit guide for 2026/27: rates, work allowance, £6,000 and £16,000 capital limits, tariff income, savings rules and what working families should check next.
UK rent and housing support: Universal Credit housing costs, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction for private and social renters. 2026/27.
Single parent benefits 2026/27: Universal Credit work allowance, Child Benefit, childcare support and council tax help, calculator and guide.
Rent increase and UC 2026/27: the housing element is capped by the Local Housing Allowance for your area, a rent rise above the LHA cap doesn't increase UC. See the LHA rules, benefit cap interactions, and DHP options.
Partner moves in and benefits 2026/27: UC switches to a joint claim, savings are assessed jointly, single person council tax discount ends. See what changes, what to report to DWP and by when.