Please remember:
It is YOUR responsibility to claim Housing Benefit if you think you are entitled to it. While the association may assist you in making a claim, we cannot overlook any rent arrears that accumulate while you are waiting for a claim to be processed, backdated or reinstated
Important: 2011 Benefit Changes
The government has announced a number of changes to housing related benefits. Up to date details may be found at this
Shelter
page
What is Housing Benefit?
Housing benefit is paid to people on a low income who rent their home. It can pay some or all of your rent depending on your circumstances - how much you earn, how many children you've got and so on
It may not cover other things you might pay for with your rent, such as a charge for heating or other
Service Charges. (To find out what you pay with your rent see your weekly amount). The government sets the rules for deciding how much housing benefit people get, but the system is run by your Local Council. You may hear housing benefit called 'rent rebate' or 'rent allowance'
How is it worked out?
Your Council looks at the rent you pay to us (or expect to pay if you are thinking of moving), and checks:
- how much you and your partner have coming in - wages, some benefits and tax credits, and things like occupational pensions
- how much you need to spend on things like childcare
- your savings and your partner's savings
- your circumstances-such as your age, the ages and size of your family, whether you or any of your family are disabled, and whether anyone who lives with you could help with the rent
The government works out what someone in your circumstances needs to live on. If your income is less than this amount, and there is no-one else living with you who could contribute to the rent, you may get 'full housing benefit'. This means you wouldn't have to pay any rent yourself
If your income is more than the government's amount, you will have to pay some or all of the rent yourself. The higher your income, the more rent you will have to pay. If it is over a certain amount you will have to pay all the rent
Housing benefit can be paid directly into your rent account. So, for example, if the rent for your home is £50 a week, and you are entitled to £30 housing benefit, you pay only £20 a week yourself
How do you claim housing benefit?
Claim straight away. If you delay you will lose benefit! You can claim up to 13 weeks before you become entitled to housing benefit. So claim now if you know you're moving to a new address, or if your circumstances are about to change - you may be retiring soon for instance
Some Councils allow you to make a claim online ...
eg:
Trafford MBC Housing Benefit Claims Change of circumstances?
If you are getting housing benefit and your circumstances change you must tell the Council straightaway
For example if your income goes down, you could get more housing benefit. If your income has gone up or other circumstances have changed, you could be getting too much housing benefit. This is serious fraud! To avoid prosecution tell the Council's Benefits service now
For more information, contact your local council. Their web site can be viewed by clicking below ...