interim housing benefit payment?

kizzie_nikita

Has anyone heard of this?

I'm 100% entitled to LHA/HB but due to a 'backlog' i am still waiting for my claim to be processed and money being sent after 13 weeks .

This is leaving me in a terrible situation as i've had to borrow 2 months rent and the 3rd month is on it's way.

We've been told the normal time for the claim to be processed is 15 weeks, but could be longer.

Would i be able to ask for a Interim payment as all my JSA money is going on rent/bills which is leaving me with literately nothing for food.

I've googled about the Interim payments but nothing has been made clear could anyone share what it is?

emsywoo123

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/lha-guidance-manual.pdf

Page 43


Payment on account
4.090 The LA’s duty to make payment on account arises on the 14th
day after the claim is made in LHA cases, just as in non-LHA
cases. If no request for further information has been made by
the 14th day or a request has been made, but the customer has
good cause for failing to supply the material requested, the LA
must make a payment on account.
HB Reg 93 and HB (SPC) Reg 73.

Be warned, my council said that they "just didn't do this" :eek:

squif33

From Shelter website..

Payment on account after 14 days

If you rent from a private landlord or a housing association, once you have made a claim, the council normally has to make an interim payment of housing benefit within 14 days. This is sometimes called a payment on account.
The only reason that payment can be delayed beyond 14 days is if the delay is caused because you did not provide the council with the information it asked for. An interim payment will allow you to pay off some of the arrears and may stop your landlord from trying to evict you. Contact your council if you don't get this payment after 14 days and get advice if necessary.

You need to put it in writing to them- they will award you an amount based on what information they already have (i.e ann estimate of what you should receive based on your circumstances)

Hope this helps.

Claire

kizzie_nikita

Yeah i've read that, but i'm trying to find anyone whos had first hand experience as like emsywoo 123 says their council says 'they just didnt do it'

squif33

I did it, hence my reply. They took weeks to sort out my HB due to some miscommunication with Tax credits. I wrote them a letter and had an interim payment within a week. A couple of weeks later it was all sorted. Housing benefit departments work on a need to know basis, they rarely volunteer information unless you specifically ask for it.

Like I said, put it in writing and you should have a payment soon

Claire