Tenants - Private, Council or Housing Association  - are entitled to Housing Benefit, if their income is below a level set by the Department of Work and Pensions.
If you are a private tenant, this is called your 'Local Housing Allowance'. Housing Benefit can cover all, or part of your rent. East Lothian Council administers Housing Benefit on behalf of the DWP, for all rental types.

There are strict rules concerning how much you can earn and still claim HB and sometimes earning just a few pounds extra each week can result in a drastic cut in HB entitlement. If your financial circumstances change it is vital that you inform the Council as soon as possible, as Housing Benefit may be stopped if you do not. Forms must be filled in both to obtain HB, and whilst you are on it, to ensure you keep getting it.

Local Housing Allowance applicants may find it useful to ask East Lothian Council's Benefits section for a 'Pre-Tenancy Determination' This will give you an approximate idea of what proportion of the rent, your Benefit is likely to cover. LHA amounts are determined by the size of property and you can find out more about the rules here.

We provide a 'Benefits Calculator', to allow you to work out approximately the amount of HB you may receive.  However, you are advised to seek advice from a Citizens Advice Bureau, Shelter or our own Welfare Rights team about any possible HB entitlement.

In addition the Department for Work and Pensions produces its own guidance for  Councils administering Benefits and this is available here.