Chapter 6: Housing benefit1. What is housing benefit2. Who is eligibleFull-time studentsWho counts as a full-time studentWho can get housing benefitStudying part time3. Basic rulesLiable for rentYour normal homeYou are away from your term-time homeYou have two homesEligible accommodationHalls of residence4. Amount of benefitStep 1: capitalStep 2: maximum rentStep 3: deductions for non-dependantsStep 4: getting a means-tested benefitStep 5: not getting a means-tested benefitStep 6: work out your applicable amountStep 7: work out your weekly incomeStep 8: calculate your housing benefit5. Claiming housing benefit6. Challenging a decision7. Other benefits and tax creditsThe benefit capPassported benefitsBasic facts•Housing benefit (HB) helps with your rent.•You cannot usually make a new claim for HB if you are under pension age.•It is administered by local authorities.•Full-time students are eligible if they are on a non-advanced course and are under 21 (or are 21 and turned 21 on their course).•Other full-time students are eligible if they get income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance or income-related employment and support allowance, or if they are a lone parent, disabled or over pension age.•Couples with a child are eligible throughout the year, whether one or both are students.•There are limits to the rent covered by HB.•HB is means tested and the amount you get depends on your grant, loan and other income.