New flat, when should I apply for housing benefit?

amber1979

I'm going to get the keys for a flat on Friday.

When should I put in my claim for housing benefit? Now, after I get the keys and have signed the tenancy or when I have moved in?

Ideally, I'd like to get all the paperwork sorted this week. Is this possible?

:beer: in advance.

Robbie64

It used to be that HB is only payable from the Monday following the day you actually move in (and I believe this is still the case) though you can claim up to 12 weeks in advance so that would cover any of those dates.

suelees1

You can put it in now but as Robbie says it only starts on a Monday

You must provide proof of the start date of your tenancy and of rent (not necessarily your tenancy agreement but something from your landlord/agent), your income - proof of benefits or if working I think it's 5 weeks wage slips is paid weekly or 2 months if monthly paid. Also bank statements, proof of ID (drivng licence or such) and your national insurance number.

When you sumbit the form I'd list all these and take them into the town hall or council offices and ask them to stamp the list to say they've received everything. Normally they just give a receipt without listing what it is and I've known docs go 'missing' and they then have to request them again which will obviously cause delays.

As long as they have all the info they need they must make at least an interim decision within 14 days if you're with a private landlord.

inspace

do it thur or friday this week as they will pay you from the first monday after paperwork recieved (so if you wait till monday your payments will go from monday after) hope that makes sense.

suelees1

Yes inspace is right. Even though the claim can only start on a Monday if you submit it on Monday it will be the week after.

catz1ct

Get it in ASAP! The people above are incorrect as below:

If you move into a new home and your claim for
Housing Benefit is treated as made in the same
week that you move in and your rent liability starts,
entitlement to Housing Benefit may start from a
day in that week.
Your first weeks entitlement will be awarded for
the number of days that you were both in
occupation and had a rent liability, for example:
You move in: Wed 4 Mar 09
Your rent liability starts: Wed 4 Mar 09You make your claim on: Fri 6 Mar 09
Benefit start date: Wed 4 Mar 09

amber1979

Cheers m'dears. I'll be getting the tenancy agreement Friday morning - I'll be in the HB office with every bit of useful paperwork I can think of that afternoon - ID, JSA docs, bank statements...

Erm.. how far back do they need bank statements to go?

Think I'm just going to cart my entire filing cabinet of stuff in on a trolly :-)

The flat is Housing Association, if that is of relevence.

gorgeousgeorge

amber1979 wrote: »

Cheers m'dears. I'll be getting the tenancy agreement Friday morning - I'll be in the HB office with every bit of useful paperwork I can think of that afternoon - ID, JSA docs, bank statements...

Erm.. how far back do they need bank statements to go?

Think I'm just going to cart my entire filing cabinet of stuff in on a trolly :-)

The flat is Housing Association, if that is of relevence.

I think its the last 3 months of bank statements, was for myself and my partner, but he was on JSA (cb)

Good luck in your new home

amber1979

Cheers George :-)

It's nice to have some good news.

catz1ct

It's usually 2 months bank statements but might be worth taking 3 just in case.

Kev27

Yes its defiantely 2 months bank statements as ive just been through it all.