Mixed age couples

A mixed age couple is where one person is pension age and the other is working age. Claiming help with your rent costs depends on your circumstances.

Mixed age couples not getting Housing Benefit or Pension Credit

You must contact the Department for Work and Pensions to check your entitlement to Universal Credit and if you need help with housing costs. You should also state at the same time that you want to claim Council Tax Support to get help with council tax.

Mixed age couples already getting Pension Credit

You must claim housing benefit if you need help with housing costs.

Use our eClaim online application form and we will work out if you can get help with your council tax at the same time.

Please note

If you are part of a mixed age couple already receiving housing benefit, you can still make a new claim for Pension Credit. You don't have to claim Universal Credit.

Single pensioners and couples who are both pension age

You cannot claim Universal Credit.

You can continue to claim Pension Credit through the Pension Service, and if you need help with housing costs you can claim housing benefit separately from us. We will work out if you are entitled to help with your council tax at the same time.