From 1 November 2007, councils in certain areas will be able to reduce the amount of housing benefit you receive if you have been involved in antisocial behaviour. In extreme cases, you might not receive any housing benefit at all. This page explains the rules on how and when they can do this.
If a reduction in your housing benefit would make it difficult for you to pay your rent, get advice as soon as you can. Rent arrears and antisocial behaviour could both put you at risk of losing your home, so don't take any chances. Use our advice services directory to find a local adviser.
Which councils can do this?
This pilot scheme is currently only operating in the following councils' areas:
- Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
- Blackpool Borough Council
- Dover District Council
- Manchester City Council
- New Forest District Council
- Newham London Borough Council
- South Gloucestershire Council
- Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council.
When can housing benefit be reduced?
The amount of housing benefit you receive can only be reduced if:
- you been previously been evicted for antisocial behaviour, and
- you have found a new home and made a new claim for housing benefit, and
- you have been given a written warning notice, telling you that you must accept support to help you to deal with the antisocial behaviour, and
- you have refused to do what the warning notice told you to do.
If all of the above points apply, your housing benefit can be reduced, or even stopped altogether. However, the reduction should be no more than 30 per cent if you are:
- a pregnant woman, or member of your family is pregnant
- single and aged under 18
- part of a couple where both members are aged under 18
- responsible for a child or young person
- receiving attendance allowance or the care component of a disability living allowance at one of the two higher rates
- spending a considerable proportion of your time caring for another person who is claiming attendance allowance or the care component of a disability living allowance
- 60 years old or older.
The 30 per cent limit on the reduction may also apply to you if the council believes that you, or a member of your family, will suffer hardship for other reasons. Get advice if you think this might be the case.
