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Housing advice

People released from prison

This information is to assist people being released from prison and their families who may be threatened with homelessness.

Housing options whilst on bail

If you are granted bail you will be required to provide an address (which can include family and friends) but if you do not have suitable accommodation alternative options are available including the Bail Accommodation and Support Service (BASS) provided by Stonham.

Further information about BASS, including contact information and opening hours can be found on the BASS website.

Keeping your home whilst on bail, remand or in prison

Housing benefit

  • you can only get Housing Benefit to pay your rent if you are on bail and living away from your home for up to 52 weeks
  • if you are on remand waiting for your trial or sentence you can get Housing Benefit for up to 52 weeks
  • if you are sentenced and are in prison you can only get Housing Benefit for up to 13 weeks if you expect to return home within 13 weeks of the date you first went into custody, including time you were on remand. The time you spend at home on temporary release is treated as time in prison.

More information on housing benefit including contact information and opening hours can be found on our Housing Benefit pages.

Universal Credit (UC)

If you were getting Universal Credit to help pay your rent or a mortgage before you were on bail, remand or in prison, you can continue to get UC housing costs payments for up to six months. You will not get UC housing costs if you expect to be in prison (including time on remand) for more than six months. You should try to set up a direct debit to pay your UC direct to your landlord. You cannot make a new claim for UC if you are in prison.

More information can be found on our Universal Credit page.

Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

If you own your own home and in receipt of SMI you can continue to get it for up to 52 weeks while you are on bail. Payments of SMI will end if you are sentenced. If you cannot get SMI you may be able to negotiate with your lender for a period of reduced payments. From April 2018 SMI will change from a benefit to a loan.

More information on SMI including how to claim can be found on the Gov.UK website.

Getting someone else to pay your rent or mortgage

If you are serving a prison sentence, your partner (married or not) can claim Housing Benefit or Universal Credit to pay the rent on your home. Another relative or friend might be able to receive Housing Benefit or Universal Credit if they look after your home in your absence. They must be living in the property. They can apply even if the tenancy is in your name only. You should tell your landlord that they will pay the rent on your behalf.

HELP scheme

Our Help in Emergencies for Local People (HELP) Scheme can assist people in need with items such as food vouchers or recycled goods.