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<p>Housing Benefit is not an income replacement benefit; it is intended to cover only
housing costs.</p><p>Those with the lowest incomes would be able to claim a qualifying
means-tested benefit alongside Housing Benefit to cover their other living costs,
which would make them eligible for a Cost of Living Payment</p><p>Housing Benefit
is administered by Local Authorities, and is sometimes paid directly to a landlord.
Payments to those receiving only Housing Benefit could not therefore be delivered
in a quick, accurate and straightforward manner.</p><p>For those who require additional
support the Government is providing an additional £1 billion of funding, including
Barnett impact, to enable a further extension to the Household Support Fund in England.</p><p>In
England, this will run from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, backed by £842m.</p><p>Local
Authorities use the Fund to help households with the cost of essentials, and they
are expected to help households in the most need, particularly those who may not be
eligible for the other support the government has recently made available.</p><p>
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