How long housing benefit? help

smileymummy

Hi i was wondering if anyone could help,i work but my income is relativley low,so i decided to see if i was entitled to any housing benefit,anyway i filled in the form 3 weeks ago and got awarded,however i am falling behind with my rent and i phoned up to say some today and no housing benefit has been paid in,does anyone know how long it takes for hb to pay my landlord? thanks.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Normally every 28 days in arrears. Depends when you local council's payment run is.

smileymummy

Thanks for responding.

Nada666

It can take two or three months before the first payment, though.

BigAunty

Isn't it possible to apply for an interim HB payment, if after 2 weeks of submitting the full information, the council hasn't yet processed it? Payment on account

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/money_problems/rent_arrears/rent_arrears_due_to_housing_benefit_claim

If you are a private tenant, unless you are deemed vulnerable in some way, the HB is typically paid to you so that you pass it onto the landlord?

rogerblack

BigAunty wrote: »

Isn't it possible to apply for an interim HB payment, if after 2 weeks of submitting the full information, the council hasn't yet processed it? Payment on account

Yes - this is what the legislation requires (unless it's recently changed.)
It's widely ignored.

merlin68

Mine took 4 weeks.

BigAunty

rogerblack wrote: »

Yes - this is what the legislation requires (unless it's recently changed.)
It's widely ignored.

Yes, sadly that's my understanding too - legislation obliges councils to issue interim housing benefit payments in those circumstances but many councils shun the rules. Perhaps Housing Benefit Officer can comment on the current status of this?

Still might be worth the OP trying and letting the forum members know if her council assist her or wriggle out of it.