If a person permanently goes into a care home then they are not eligible for Housing Benefit; there are very rare exceptions when this is the case.

Please click on this link to see whether you apply for an exemption for Council Tax

If a person temporarily goes into a care home e.g. temporary absent from their home, we may be able to continue paying Housing and Council Tax Benefit on the following cases:

• If the claimant decides to go into a care home for a trial period and as long as they intend to return to their normal home if the care home is unsuitable, we can pay up to 13 weeks.
  
• If the claimant is in a care home or independent hospital and it is not just for a trial period e.g. for respite care; and the claimant has an intention to return to their normal home, we can pay up to 52 weeks.

We advise if you have any queries or questions regarding yours or your relatives' circumstances to contact us on either of the following to discuss further with a benefit assessor.

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