Housing benefit claim timescales...

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
VSP: #64

Comments

  • nannytone_2
    nannytone_2 Posts: 12,985 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    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
    Caz3121 Posts: 15,808 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    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
  • Here it takes 4 months to sort a claim for housing benefit out.
  • Paul_01
    Paul_01 Posts: 398 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    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.
  • 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.
  • 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
    VSP: #64
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