How long should a Housing Benefit claim take to process?

squidgeum

I telephoned for an application form in November, had an appointment and took all the paperwork into the office on the 11th December, and they still haven't processed the claim. How long realistically should I have to wait?

BigAunty

You can ask for an interim housing benefit payment 2 weeks after you've submitted the full info if the council has completed processing it. However, I understand some councils try to wheedle out of giving an interim housing benefit payment.

What have the council said when you've chased up their claim?

Bee70

ours say 6 weeks after you have submitted all of the documents if that helps

squidgeum

They just keep saying that they have a backlog, which doesn't help me!

Paul_01

Depends on which authority it is. Some are as quick as within a couple of weeks if the claim is straightforward and all documentation has been provided.

asher_2

Could be worth another polite phone call to them? I took my documentation into my office on 12th December. I called yesterday to enquire how my claim was proceeding, as they sent me a final demand for council tax and found they had missed that the documents had been submitted. Have been advised that I should hear from them in the next week.

CKhalvashi

We're taking 14 weeks for both new claims and up to 20 weeks for amendments at the moment.

CK

Willing2Learn

The Department of Work & Pensions Housing Benefit / Council Tax Benefit Guidance Manual to which Local Authorities must have due regard is very clear.

This is the guidance on how they must interpret the regulations or have a very good reason as to why they have not when challenged on their decision making process.

Click here to visit DWP site & to refer to the full manual (just click on the relevant chapter. It includes notes that indicate which regulation the guidance section applies.). This is the part of the DWP site meant for Local Authority Staff but is also available as a resource to the general public

The time limit is 14 days

Here is just a small 'slice' from Chapter A6 s6.157-s6.161

First payment of HB
6.157 You must make the first payment of HB within 14 days of receiving the claim unless it is not
reasonably practicable, when payment should be made as soon as possible. If the claim has not
been decided within 14 days of receiving the claim, you must consider a payment on account,



Payment on account
6.158 If you cannot decide a claim within 14 days of receiving the claim, you must consider making
a payment on account. It is not the claimant’s responsibility to ask for a payment on account
and you must not wait for them to ask.

6.159 A payment on account
• must be made if the claim cannot be decided and this is not because the claimant has failed
to provide, without good cause, evidence reasonably needed and requested
• must not be made if
- you do not consider that a payment on account is appropriate because the claim will
probably be decided and paid within the 14 days. If the claim is not decided within 14
days you must reconsider your decision immediately, or
- it is clear from the information already available there will be no entitlement to benefit,
or
- you cannot decided the claim within 14 days because the claimant has failed, without
good cause, to provide evidence or information which you reasonably need and have
requested


Payment on account is appropriate
6.160 If you decide a payment on account is appropriate, make a payment
• based on whatever information is available on for example level of rent, number of
non-dependants, and
• which seems reasonable given what is known of the claimant’s circumstances

6.161 A claimant cannot be held responsible for delays in receiving
• confirmation of IS, JSA(IB), ESA(IR) or Pension Credit (guarantee credit) entitlement from
the local DWP office
• confirmation of conditions of entry or stay in Great Britain from the Home Office
• decisions from the rent officer

pinkladyvenus

I waited two months phoned / visted council numerous times and was still getting no joy. Went to C.A.B, and after a phone call to the council from C.A.B the claim was dealt with that day.