Are you eligible for assistance?

Everyone is entitled to housing advice from their Local Council. However, if you need further assistance, then the Council must find out whether you are eligible.

In order to be eligible you must be "habitually resident"; in other words, you must live in this country for a length of time. If you are a British Citizen who has lived away from the UK for a length of time, you may not be eligible for assistance.

You will not be eligible for assistance if you are subject to immigration control unless you have been granted refugee status in the United Kingdom, or you have been given the right permission to stay in this country (unless told you cannot use public funds), you are a citizen of an exempt country, or you receive an income-based job seekers allowance, or are in receipt of income support. You will be subjected to immigration control if you are not a British, Commonwealth or EU Citizen.

If you are not eligible for assistance then you will be given advice on how you can find accommodation, and it may be possible to put you in contact with other organisations who might be able to help you.

If you are eligible for assistance then further enquiries will be made. Please click here to find out more on how we help those eligible for assitance.

NB. These pages are for guidance only. Please seek professional advice before acting on any information.

Page last updated on 24 May 2012