There are four types of specified accommodation where Housing Benefit will cover the housing costs instead of Universal Credit.
If you are in specified accommodation normally your landlord will let you know this is the case and they will assist you with making a claim for Housing Benefit. Your landlord and care provider will need to complete additional forms about your property details and the care and/or support they provide.
The types of specified accommodation are:
Exempt accommodation
Which is provided by: a housing association, a registered charity, a not for profit voluntary organisation or a non-unitary county council.
Where: more than minimal care, support or supervision is provided by the landlord or a person or organisation acting on the landlord’s behalf to the tenant who requires that care.
Managed properties
Which is provided by: a housing association, a registered charity, a not for profit voluntary organisation or a non-unitary county council.
Where: the tenant who requires more than minimal care, support or supervision is admitted to the property to receive that care, support or supervision which is provided by someone who is not the landlord or someone acting on their behalf.
Domestic violent refuge
Which is provided by: a housing association, a registered charity, a not for profit voluntary organisation, a non-unitary county council or local authority.
Hostels
That are owned or managed by a local authority where the tenant receives more than minimal care, support or supervision.