Housing Benefit Question

[ricgem2002]

Only council tennents get it paid direct actually!

someone else who dosent know what they are talking about

[Ms Macbeth]

someone else who dosent know what they are talking about

 

The DWP is not keen to pay rent directly to private landlords.

 

There are of course exceptions, as explained here:

 

Under the LHA rules Housing Benefit is paid to the claimant, unless they are likely to have difficulty paying their rent; they are more than 8 weeks in arrears with their rent (this can include rent payable in advance); or they are on Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance and deductions from this benefit are being made to pay off rent arrears.

https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/benefit/payments/localhousingallowance.html

 

There are also trials going on in 5 areas where housing benefit is being paid directly to social housing tenants, who have to pay their own rent. Its all part of the plan to introduce 'Universal benefits' next year. Some info about it here: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/newsroom/press-releases/2011/sep-2011/dwp109-11.shtml

[discodown]

Apologies, I failed to mention my comments were in relation to private tenants, I know social housing providers are paid directly. Have I misunderstood the statement on the DWP website? This is what it tells private tenants:

 

How it's paid

The payment will normally be made straight to your bank or building society account.

Payments to landlords

Payment is not normally made to your landlord - it is up to you to pay your rent to your landlord. If you don't pay your rent, you may be taken to court and evicted from the property.

 

From:http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/moneytaxandbenefits/benefitstaxcreditsandothersupport/on_a_low_income/dg_10018928

No you haven't. The default is that that the tenant will be paid however just because that is the standard doesn't mean that is the way it has to be, it can be changed there is much flexibility in the rules

[Toby-Tuviya]

Hello-

 

A couple living together, but not as partners, are struggling to make the shortfall of HB up, they privately rent. One person claims the benefit, they are both disabled. How would their claim be effected if they both made individual claims for their half of the rent? Would the total be greater than one person claiming?

 

Thanks

 

They could ask about a discretionary HB payment towards their rent too as each local authority has it's own local housing allowance, it is hard to obtain but again not impossible if worded right on the application form.

 

I have known people living in the same property claim individually for HB payments but more often than not HB look at the total rent for both to be there and HB will pay a proportion usually leaving both individuals to pay the same amount each for the total shortfall anyway.

[ricgem2002]

The DWP is not keen to pay rent directly to private landlords.

 

There are of course exceptions, as explained here:

 

Under the LHA rules Housing Benefit is paid to the claimant, unless they are likely to have difficulty paying their rent; they are more than 8 weeks in arrears with their rent (this can include rent payable in advance); or they are on Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance and deductions from this benefit are being made to pay off rent arrears.

https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/benefit/payments/localhousingallowance.html

 

There are also trials going on in 5 areas where housing benefit is being paid directly to social housing tenants, who have to pay their own rent. Its all part of the plan to introduce 'Universal benefits' next year. Some info about it here: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/newsroom/press-releases/2011/sep-2011/dwp109-11.shtml

like i said he dosent know what he s talking about