Moving out, when to apply for Housing Benefit???

Charlie1981_2

Hiya guys,

I thought id ask you guys on here about this incase you could offer me any advice.

I'am going to be moving out on the 25th of august, private accomdation with housing benefit paying the rent. (fingers crossed)

My question is when should i fill in the housing benefit forms - after i have moved in or now? The guy at the estate agents said it takes a long time to get a reply for housing benefits, and that i should have money ready if i dont get a reply and will have to pay the rent myself.

On the form it asks for your address and when you moved in, so i assume i can only apply for housing benefit after i have moved in?

Any help would be much appreciated, i've looked up the shelter website and not found anything about when you should apply, also tried to ring their phone number but its been busy all day.

Thank you very very very much,
Charlie

Eager_Elephant

You can apply for Housing Benefit before you move in but they won't pay anything until you have moved in and then you will have to provide written confirmation of when you move in, just in case it varied from the predicted date.

If you are moving in to new accomodation on the 25th providing you get your claim in within that same week then HB can be paid from the date you moved in.

The other thing to bear in mind is that if you have provided all information needed and moved in to the property they are obliged to pay you on account after 14 days even if they have not worked out your claim.

EE

Charlie1981_2

Hi Eager_Elephant, Thank you very much for your quick reply, one less thing for me to worry about now! Cheers mate )