Housing Benefit
If your income is low you may be entitled to a housing benefit. At Ealing Homes we willl help
you claim housing benefits by:
- Checking if you are eligible and help you complete an application form when you go into arrears or ask for help.
- Estimate your likely entitlement and tell you the amount you need to pay each week until a Housing Benefit Officer formally assesses your claim.
- Complete a benefits claim form with you when you sign up to a new tenancy.
- Arrange a home visit if you are unable to come to the office.
Only the orginal will do...
To claim Housing Benefit you need to confirm all your details by providing the original
documents to show your income, savings and household details. If you do not provide this
information when you send in your form, the Housing Benefit Service at the council will write to
you and tell you what they need to assess your claim. It is important that you send this
information within 28 days of the letter being sent to you.
If you do not return the information your claim will be closed, you will have to fill out
another form and are likely to lose benefit.
If you get a letter asking for information and you think you have already sent this in,
do not ignore the letter, contact the Housing Benefit Office on
020 8825 7000 . Ask them to check your file to confirm that you still need
to send in the information. If you are unable to get the original documents within 28 days
please let them know, as they may be able to give you some extra time.
Is it possible to get housing benefit on more than one home?
It is only possible to get housing benefit on two homes in specific circumstances. For
example, someone who is moving house and cannot avoid having to pay rent on their old and new
homes, may be able to get housing benefit on both homes for up to 4 weeks as long as they have
moved into their new home.
Can I get housing benefit if I am away from my home for a time?
If you are temporarily away from your home you might still get housing benefit. To get it for
these periods, you must intend to return home and you must not rent your home out while you are
away.
You can get housing benefit for up to 52 weeks absence when you are:
· in hospital or temporarily staying in a care home or nursing home;
· on remand awaiting trial or sentence;
· living away because of fear of violence (but if you have moved permanently or you are
waiting for a transfer, you might only get help for up to 4 weeks).
Will my housing benefit be affected by other people living in my home?
Your housing benefit will be affected if people aged over 18 are living with you. This does
not include your partner but might be an adult son or daughter or an elderly relative. They are
called a non-dependant. Money will be taken off your benefit whether or not the non-dependant
pays you anything. If the non-dependant is working full time the amount taken off gross earnings
is:
| £7.40* if s/he earns less than £116 |
| £17.00 if s/he earns between £116 and £171.99 |
| £23.35 if s/he earns between £172 and £222.99 |
| £38.20 if s/he earns between £223 and £295.99 |
| £43.50 if s/he earns between £296 and £368.99 |
| £47.75 if s/he earns more than £369.00 |
What happens if I start work?
Under the extended payment scheme you can carry on getting your existing rate of housing
benefit for 4 weeks if on starting work:
- the work is expected to last five weeks or more; and
- you are on income support, income-based jobseekers allowance, incapacity benefit or severe disablement allowance and these stop because you start work or have an increase in pay or hours; and
- you have been getting either income support, income-based or contribution based jobseekers allowance, incapacity benefit or severe disablement allowance - or a combination of these continuously for at least 26 weeks.
How do I claim an extended payment?
You no longer have to make a claim for extended payments but must inform the local authority
and jobcentre plus within 4 weeks of the change in your situation. After the 4 weeks of extended
payments, you might still be able to get some housing benefit depending on your income, rent, etc.
You may also be able to get council tax benefit during these 4 weeks.
How to Claim backdated benefit
You will need to write to the Housing Benefit Office stating your reasons why you
think your claim should be backdated. You will need to supply proof of your income and
savings for that period. The Housing Benefit department will then make a decision as to
whether you have shown ‘good cause’ to backdate your benefit.
Remember...
If you have been refused a benefit in the past it doesn’t mean you will not qualify for it in
the future. If your circumstances change so that you have less income for example, you should
make a fresh application.
If your circumstances change or those of anyone who lives with you, please let us know.
It may affect your benefit and could cause you to go into arrears with your rent.
Ealing Council Housing Benefits Call Centre:
0208 825 7000
Council Tax and Housing Benefit 24 hr information line:
08459 400810