Help with housing costs

• Housing Benefit
  If you are on a low income, and living in rented accommodation, Housing Benefit can help with your rent (and/or rates in Northern Ireland)
• Council Tax Benefit
  If you are on a low income, this benefit can help with your Council Tax payments
• Help with mortgage payments through means-tested benefits
  If you claim Income Support, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, your award can include help with your mortgage interest payments and certain other housing costs
• Adaptations and things you can do
  Local authorities can provide financial help if you need to repair, improve or adapt your home for health reasons
• Payments, grants and schemes
  Grants are also available to help you improve the heating systems and insulation in your home
• Get information about cutting your heating costs with Macmillan's Keeping warm without the worry booklet [PDF, 97kb] (last reviewed February 2012). 

Case study - Joanne's story

Joanne is the single parent of Samuel, aged 14. She works hard to provide for herself and her son.

However, when Samuel was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, their family life was severely disrupted.

Joanne gave up work to care for Samuel as the chemotherapy was making him feel very weak and tired. He was spending most of his time in bed.

Joanne survived on her savings for a few months, but it was being used quickly. She began to worry about the future and decided to speak to a welfare rights adviser.

After the meeting, Joanne realised there was help available that would allow her to concentrate on being with Samuel.

Joanne applied for and received the following help:

• Disability Living Allowance (middle rate care and lower rate mobility) worth an extra £72.40 a week for Samuel
• Carer’s Allowance worth an extra £58.45 a week for Joanne
• Income Support for Joanne to help with mortgage costs after 13 weeks
• Council Tax Benefit, amount depending on Joanne’s personal circumstances.
• Macmillan Grant £250 to go towards the cost of extra bedding and clothing that Samuel needed due to weight loss.

With a regular household income and the interest on her mortgage being paid, Joanne could concentrate on her son and his treatment. The Income Support also entitled Joanne to free prescriptions, dental and eye care for herself.