•If you are entitled to pension credit, income support (IS), income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) or income-related employment and support allowance (ESA) and you own or are buying your home or you are a long leaseholder, your benefit can include help with a variety of housing costs, such as ground rent and service charges.

•Your benefit cannot include help with your mortgage or other loan – eg, for repairs or improvements. Instead, the DWP may offer you a loan.

•If you can make a new claim for, and are entitled to, IS, JSA or ESA, you might not get help with your housing costs during an initial ‘waiting period’.