Is housing benefit paid a month in arrears?

Housing_Benefit_Officer

fed_up_and_stressed wrote: »

I suggest you apply for a discretionary Housing Payment from your council. I know from recent case work I have been involved with my local council council, in certain circumstances have allowed DHP's to be used for advanced rent.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/300220/discretionary-housing-payments-guide-apr-14.pdf

2.4 onwards - page 7

FluffyDuck3

Can't you sign the agreement before the 1st but put the start date as the 1st. I've signed tenancy agreements before the actual move in date.

bosshunter

Can't lend the cash of friends or family, they're already helping out hugely with other things such as moving and helping me buy things for newbie.

FluffyDuck3 wrote: »

Can't you sign the agreement before the 1st but put the start date as the 1st. I've signed tenancy agreements before the actual move in date.

That would be very helpful, and I have requested that but I'm just waiting on it now... don't know if he'll do it before then.


The discretionary housing payment sounds very helpful and exactly what I need to do, thank you very much! I'll get on that ASAP!

I'm totally aware we need to pay extra until baby comes, and afterwards, that's just something we have decided is best, rather than trying to move house with a newborn and a very high chance of the house we have 'secured' no longer being secured and the landlord giving it to somebody else.


Thank you everyone!

Morglin

2014 rules regarding housing benefit/LHA:

http://www.nihe.gov.uk/index/benefits/lha.htm

HB is generally paid 4 weekly, in arrears.

Lin

kittykat17

We receive our HB every two weeks and this was the same with our previous council. I think you have the choice of fortnightly or monthly. Being paid fortnightly helps us make sure we've got the money when the rent is due regardless of the dates it's paid to us. Good luck.

fluffymovie

Just wanted to say that for most councils, we pay HB to claimants every 2 weeks but landlords' every 4 weeks so you may have some cash earlier than you think.

bosshunter

Hi there, mini update, in new home now, currently 36 weeks pregnant.
Housing benefit is sorted but will take, according to them 4 weeks to sort & then it's paid 4 weeks in arrears so I wont receive any money for about 8 weeks time.
I asked for a disrepency payment and was told I couldn't apply as I'd have only been accepted if I was just about to move, or inbetween both homes. However I couldn't have applied without a tenancy agreement... so it's a bit of a mix up I think. I may call up and double check. Either way, I'm currently applying for a budgeting loan but think the maximum for a couple without a child (despite being ready to pop any day now!) is £460 I think, but it will help anyway!

Thanks for all the help and advice