# Section 117 - does it cover rent portion of supported accomodation

**URL:** <https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/section-117-does-it-cover-rent-portion-of-supported-accomodation/6288>\
**Category:** Mental Health Act\
**Tags:** aftercare\
**Created:** [9 November 2026 14:02 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/section-117-does-it-cover-rent-portion-of-supported-accomodation/6288 "2026-11-09T14:02:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![O2bhere](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/ecccb3/32.png) [@O2bhere](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/O2bhere)\
**Post date:** [9 November 2026 14:02 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/section-117-does-it-cover-rent-portion-of-supported-accomodation/6288/1 "2026-11-09T14:02:26Z")

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Was discharged from suffolk psychiatric hospital five months ago. My needs were assessed to be placed in supported accomadation.

During these five months they have been telling me to claim housing benefit for the rent. As i dont qualify for housing benefit i have been paying rent out of my own funds. The council/authority says they only pay for the care.

Is this correct?

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**Author:** ![Kalabata](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/c0e974/32.png) [@Kalabata](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/Kalabata)\
**Post date:** [9 November 2026 14:52 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/section-117-does-it-cover-rent-portion-of-supported-accomodation/6288/2 "2026-11-09T14:52:49Z")

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The rent in supported accommodation is usually covered by Housing Benefit and not UC but this depends on the number of hours and the nature of the support. Here is the full guidance. If you need Benefits advice you could try using the BenefitsandWork website. [Housing Benefit guidance for supported housing claims - GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/housing-benefit-guidance-for-supported-housing-claims/housing-benefit-guidance-for-supported-housing-claims)

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**Author:** ![MHProfessional](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@MHProfessional](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/MHProfessional)\
**Post date:** [9 November 2026 15:14 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/section-117-does-it-cover-rent-portion-of-supported-accomodation/6288/3 "2026-11-09T15:14:21Z")

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Are you in supported accommodation for your mental health? If so, then the accommodation can form part of your care, which means you are potentially paying for your own aftercare. You should not be paying for your aftercare. [https://www.39essex.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Section-117-MHA-webinar-5-September-combined-slide-deck.pdf](https://www.39essex.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Section-117-MHA-webinar-5-September-combined-slide-deck.pdf)

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**Author:** ![Cia](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Cia](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/Cia)\
**Post date:** [9 November 2026 16:09 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/section-117-does-it-cover-rent-portion-of-supported-accomodation/6288/4 "2026-11-09T16:09:30Z")

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They shouldn’t be asking you to apply for housing benefit or to fund supported accommodation if part of your S117 care.

[London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LGSCO, 25 027 355) - Mental Health Law Online](https://www.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/London_Borough_of_Tower_Hamlets_(LGSCO,_25_027_355))

[25 027 355 - Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman](https://www.lgo.org.uk/decisions/adult-care-services/assessment-and-care-plan/25-027-355)

[20 006 910 - Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman](https://web.archive.org/web/20231218103408/https://www.lgo.org.uk/decisions/health/mental-health-services/20-006-910b)