Housing benefit claim timescales...

each_peach_pear_plum

After my partner losing his job, we have made a claim for housing benefit. We went to our local council offices with everything they requested a week last Friday (8th)... My question is, how long does a claim take to process and the money come through? Our rent is due on 1st...

Thanks

eppp

nannytone_2

it can vary massively. it all depends on how busy/efficient your local housing benefit department are.
i made a claim 18 months ago and it was all sorted and in payment in less than a week. but it can take months to sort out.
just keep phoning them and chasing it up

Caz3121

I think it varies by councils, recently there have been posts with claims taking under a fortnight but similarly people still waiting after 15 weeks.
I would start getting a plan B together just in case

Charityworker

Here it takes 4 months to sort a claim for housing benefit out.

Paul_01

Bearing in mind your HB is likely to be paid 4 weekly in arrears, the Council have this time before you would be due anything anyway. Although it's nice to know it's all been sorted asap I guess.

If you call your local council they should be able to give you the time scales that they are currently working to.

In the event that you're in an area with a large backlog, you can request a 'payment on account' from them. This should be paid as long as you can show need, and your claim is likely to be successful.

Horseunderwater

Is it social housing or private rental? Whichever one it is - you need to tell your landlord as soon as you can about the possibility of this months rent being late - it can take 8 weeks or more. Depends on the backlog of cases going through your councils housing benefit dept.
Is there anyone who could lend you this money? I assume you do not work either - perhaps it is time to both go out to work. Also whatever else you do - do not go and take out any payday loans as you will never be able to pay them back.

each_peach_pear_plum

Horseunderwater wrote: »

Is it social housing or private rental? Whichever one it is - you need to tell your landlord as soon as you can about the possibility of this months rent being late - it can take 8 weeks or more. Depends on the backlog of cases going through your councils housing benefit dept.
Is there anyone who could lend you this money? I assume you do not work either - perhaps it is time to both go out to work. Also whatever else you do - do not go and take out any payday loans as you will never be able to pay them back.

Its a private rental, and our LL is aware of the situation.... and you assume wrong! I am currently working full time, as I always have done, and this is our first ever claim for any benefit (other than CB)
We do not intend to claim any longer than we have to!!

eppp