Housing Benefit and Universal Credit — Can You Get Both?

Housing Benefit and the housing element of Universal Credit are designed to do the same job — help with rent — but they generally can’t both be claimed at the same time for the same tenancy. This guide explains how the two systems relate, when you might briefly have both, and what happens when you move from one to the other.

The general rule: not both, for most people

For the vast majority of claimants, you can’t receive Housing Benefit and the Universal Credit housing element simultaneously for the same property. If you’re eligible for Universal Credit, any Housing Benefit claim should end once your Universal Credit award (including the housing element) begins.

There are some specific exceptions and transitional situations where a brief overlap can occur, described below.

Why they usually can’t overlap

Universal Credit was designed to replace six older benefits, including Housing Benefit, for most working-age claimants. The housing element within Universal Credit does the job Housing Benefit used to do — helping with rent — so having both running at once for the same tenancy would effectively be duplicate support for the same cost.

Transitional overlap when you first claim Universal Credit

If you’re moving from Housing Benefit onto Universal Credit — whether through a new claim, a change in circumstances, or the managed migration process — there’s often a short period where both can genuinely overlap:

• The “Housing Benefit run-on” — many claimants receive a two-week extension of Housing Benefit after making a new Universal Credit claim, alongside their first Universal Credit payment. This is designed to help bridge the wait for the first Universal Credit payment, which typically takes about five weeks to arrive after a new claim.
• This run-on payment doesn’t need to be repaid and isn’t deducted from your Universal Credit award — it’s a genuine extra bridge, not an overpayment waiting to happen.

Who might still receive Housing Benefit instead of the Universal Credit housing element

As covered in our guide on who can still claim Housing Benefit, some groups continue to use Housing Benefit rather than Universal Credit for ongoing help with rent:

• Single people or couples who have both reached State Pension age
• People in supported, sheltered, or temporary accommodation, regardless of age
• Certain protected mixed-age couples who were already receiving Housing Benefit or Pension Credit before 15 May 2019

If you fall into one of these groups, you generally wouldn’t be claiming the Universal Credit housing element at all, since Housing Benefit remains your route for rent support.

What happens if you’re already on Housing Benefit and become eligible for Universal Credit

If a change in circumstances means you now need to claim Universal Credit (for example, moving in with a partner who’s working age, or a change to your household), your Housing Benefit claim will generally end once your Universal Credit claim (including the housing element) is in place. Report the change promptly to avoid a gap in your rent support, or an overpayment if the timing isn’t handled correctly.

Managed migration from Housing Benefit to Universal Credit

The DWP has been running a “managed migration” process to move remaining working-age Housing Benefit claimants onto Universal Credit. If you receive a migration notice letter, you’ll need to claim Universal Credit by the deadline given in the letter. If you don’t, your existing benefits — including Housing Benefit — will stop, and you may not receive transitional protection that would otherwise top up your award if you’d be worse off under Universal Credit.

Transitional protection

If you’re moved onto Universal Credit through managed migration (rather than choosing to claim it yourself due to a change in circumstances) and would be worse off under the new system, you may be entitled to transitional protection — an additional amount added to your Universal Credit award to make up the difference, at least initially. This protection isn’t available if you make a new claim for Universal Credit voluntarily rather than being migrated, so it’s worth understanding which route applies to you before making any decision about when to claim.

Common mistakes

• Assuming you can claim both indefinitely. Beyond the short run-on period, ongoing overlap between Housing Benefit and the Universal Credit housing element isn’t normal — one should end as the other begins.
• Not reporting a change in circumstances promptly. Delaying can create a gap in support, or an overpayment if both benefits end up in payment for longer than intended.
• Choosing to claim Universal Credit voluntarily without checking transitional protection. If you’d be worse off under Universal Credit and haven’t yet received a managed migration notice, claiming voluntarily could mean missing out on transitional protection you’d otherwise have received.
• Ignoring a migration notice letter. Missing the deadline can mean losing your existing benefits, including Housing Benefit, without your Universal Credit claim yet being in place.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get Housing Benefit and Universal Credit housing element at the same time? Generally no, except for a short transitional run-on period (usually two weeks) when you first move from Housing Benefit to Universal Credit.

What is the Housing Benefit run-on payment? An extra two weeks of Housing Benefit paid alongside your first Universal Credit payment, designed to help bridge the gap while you wait for your first Universal Credit payment to arrive. It doesn’t need to be repaid.

Do I need to apply for the Housing Benefit run-on separately? Generally no — it should be triggered automatically when you make a new Universal Credit claim while receiving Housing Benefit, though it’s worth confirming with your council if you’re not sure it’s been applied.

What happens if I get a migration notice letter? You need to claim Universal Credit by the deadline given, or your existing benefits — including Housing Benefit — will stop, and you may lose entitlement to transitional protection.

What is transitional protection, and do I get it automatically? It’s extra money added to your Universal Credit award if you’d otherwise be worse off after managed migration — but it generally only applies if you’re moved through the official managed migration process, not if you claim Universal Credit voluntarily.

I’m pension age — do I need to worry about this at all? If you’re single (or in a couple where both of you are pension age), you can generally continue with or newly claim Housing Benefit rather than Universal Credit, so this overlap issue typically doesn’t apply to you.

Will my rent support definitely continue without a gap when I move to Universal Credit? The system is designed to bridge this with the run-on payment, but it’s worth keeping a close eye on your accounts and contacting your council or the DWP promptly if you notice a gap.

Can I choose to stay on Housing Benefit if I’d rather not move to Universal Credit? Not usually, if you’re required to move due to a change in circumstances or a managed migration notice — but it’s worth getting advice on your specific situation, particularly around transitional protection, before making any voluntary claim.

Sources

• GOV.UK — Housing Benefit
• GOV.UK — Universal Credit