Redundancy support
Help with rent after losing your job in the UK
5 min read
If you rent your home, the housing element of Universal Credit usually replaces Housing Benefit for working-age claimants. How much you get depends on whether you rent privately or from a council/housing association.
The UC housing element
- Private renters: capped at the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate for your area and bedroom entitlement.
- Social renters: usually based on your actual rent, minus a bedroom-tax-style reduction if you have spare bedrooms.
- Single under-35s: usually limited to the shared-accommodation LHA rate.
Discretionary Housing Payment
If your rent is above the housing element you receive, ask your council for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP). They're short-term, but can bridge the gap while you find work or cheaper housing.
Tell your landlord early
Many landlords are willing to agree a short payment plan or accept partial payments while UC is processed. This is much easier before arrears build up.
See what you may be entitled to
The free check gives an indicative view in about five minutes. No login.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
See our methodology for how we use these sources.
Related reading
Redundancy support hub
Calm step-by-step guidance for the weeks after redundancy.
Benefits after redundancy: what you may be able to claim
An overview of UK benefits to consider after redundancy — Universal Credit, New Style JSA, Council Tax Reduction, and contribution-based options.
How savings and redundancy pay affect Universal Credit
The £6,000 and £16,000 thresholds explained, plus how deliberate spending (deprivation of capital) is treated.
Help with rent after losing your job
Universal Credit housing element, Discretionary Housing Payments, Housing Benefit and other UK support that may help you cover rent after losing your income.