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Am I able to claim housing benefit while I am in prison?
I am a pensioner living in London in sheltered accommodation and I receive housing benefit. I may have to go to prison. Will I still get housing benefit when I am in prison?
If you live on your own Housing Benefit can only be paid if you are imprisoned 13 weeks or less. If you live with a wife or partner then they may well be able to claim in their own right.
However 13 weeks means that people who are given a six month sentence or less may be eligible for housing benefit because they will only serve half their sentence. Those who are sentenced for up to a year may also be eligible (as with a Home Detention Curfew they may serve 13 weeks or less) but but this is at the discretion of the social security office.
Those remanded in custody awaiting trial or required to live in a bail hostel are entitled to housing benefit for up to 52 weeks.
You are not eligible to collect your pension while in prison.
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