Housing Benefit Housing Benefit is paid to tenants on a low income. It can help pay some or all of your rent depending on your circumstances - how much you earn, how many dependant children you have are just a few examples. It may not cover other services included in the weekly payments, such as a charge for heating costs. You may hear housing benefit called 'rent direct' or 'rent rebate'.
How do I claim housing benefit?
You can make a claim immediately. If you delay you will lose 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. Obtain a claim form by telephoning any one of the following three numbers: (01685) 725116 or (01685) 725371 or (01685) 725250
Collect a form from the Civic Centre, or your nearest neighbourhood housing office.
Filling in the form
The application form is quite detailed. But don't worry - you can obtain advice if you need it. When you send the form back you'll also need to send proof of identity, a document showing your National Insurance number and proof of income (wage slips, benefit books and so on). You must send the original documents - not photocopies you have made yourself. If you don't want to send original documents, ask how to make official copies.
|