If you make a new benefit claim, it will usually start in line with the following dates.
- claiming quickly - if you ask us for a claim form and return it to us within one month, your claim will usually start from the Monday after the date you first asked us for the claim form
- other benefits - if you make your claim within one month of applying for other benefits (Income Support, Income-Based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related employment and support allowance or guaranteed pension credit) - your claim will usually start from the Monday after the date you become entitled to these benefits
- new liability - if you move into a new home and make your claim within the same week that you move in and become liable to pay rent/council tax, your claim will usually start from the date that you move in
- bereavement/separation - if your partner was claiming benefits for you and they die or you separate and you make your claim within one month of this happening, your claim will usually start from the date of death or separation
- in all other cases, the benefit will usually start from the Monday after the date we receive your claim form
If you are a council tenant, Housing Benefit will be paid weekly directly to your rent account. If you are a Housing Association tenant we will pay you or your landlord four weekly in arrears directly into a bank account.
For private tenants, payment is made four weekly in arrears and is paid directly into the tenant's bank account.
You may need to open a bank account to receive your Housing Benefit and we can advise you on this.
Payment to your landlord
Payment may be made to the landlord in the following circumstances:
- the first payment at the start of the claim - if there are rent arrears already outstanding
- if the tenant is likely to have difficulty managing their financial affairs
- if the tenant is unlikely to pay their rent
- if there are rent arrears of eight weeks or more
- where a tenancy is at risk - to help secure or retain it
- if a tenant has left the property leaving rent arrears behind
- if a tenant is having deductions made from other benefits to pay off rent arrears
When considering whom to pay, we will balance the interests of both the tenant and landlord and will respond quickly to reduce the possibility of rent arrears escalating.