| Question / Issue |
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| How quickly will my Housing Benefit be paid? |
| Answer / Solution |
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| We try and get all benefit claims worked out as soon as possible. However, it can take some time and will depend on
- how quickly you send in all the information we need (we normally hold a claim open for 28 days from the time we first send for any more information), and
- how busy we are when you make your claim
How will I be paid?
Once we have worked out your benefit and you are entitled to some help we will send you a cheque. Payment of Housing Benefit is made every four weeks and benefit is paid in arrears.
If you want, we can send your benefit direct to your landlord or landlady. If you want us to pay your landlord or landlady you must request this and they must agree in writing to accept the payments.
Or, we can pay your benefit directly into your bank account. This will help you to keep up to date with your rent, and there is less chance of the cheque getting lost.
We usually have to pay your Housing Benefit straight to your landlord if you owe 8 or more weeks rent.
We will send you a letter telling you how we worked out your benefit. Please check the information in the letter very carefully. If there is anything you think is wrong, you MUST tell us straight away. |
FAQ ID # 189
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