STORY
Working-age residents in supported housing and temporary accommodation will be able to keep more of what they earn under new Housing Benefit rules laid before Parliament. The Government said the change would remove barriers that had discouraged people in supported housing from increasing their hours or moving into work.
The Housing Benefit (Earned Income Disregards) Regulations 2026 were laid on 6 July and are due to come into force on 5 October. The regulations introduce five new earned income disregards for working-age claimants living in supported housing and temporary accommodation.
Ministers said the measure formed part of the Government’s wider welfare reform programme. They said the aim was to reward work while protecting those who need support, although the practical impact will depend on individual earnings, benefit entitlement and housing costs.