This rent and benefit calculator is only as accurate as the information you put in. So make sure you answer every question carefully, and check what you have entered before you go to the next question. Be especially careful with figures - for example make sure you don't put £300 when you mean £30. You can always check what you have put by going to 'show your answers' at the bottom of every screen. This allows you to alter an answer if you spot a mistake.

The calculator is not an official application for benefit. It is a guide to show you what you should be entitled to if you make an official application. When you do apply for benefit you will need to produce things like proof of income so that the council's benefits unit can work out your entitlement accurately. If your circumstances change you must tell the benefits unit immediately as your entitlement may also change.

The calculator is updated and checked regularly for accuracy. As long as you give accurate answers the calculator should give you correct entitlement results. But benefit regulations are very complicated and change frequently, so it is not possible to guarantee 100 percent accuracy in all cases. We can't accept responsibility for any errors, so please treat the results as a guide only.

The content of this calculator is protected by copyright, trademark and other intellectual property laws. It may be downloaded, displayed, reformatted and printed for your personal, non-commercial use only.