Benefit on Two Homes
Normally, Housing Benefit is only payable for one home, however in certain circumstances benefit can be paid for two properties.
When you are moving and you have to pay rent on your old and new home, you may be able to qualify for Housing Benefit for both of them if:
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You have moved into the new property; and
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You could not reasonably have avoided having to pay rent on both properties.
Benefit can only be paid in this instance for a maximum of 4 weeks.
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Benefit can also be paid for two homes where you have left your property and remain absent due to fear of violence in the home or by a person who was formerly a member of your family.
You must
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Have an intention to return to your property, and
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Have a liability on that property and the property you are now living in; and
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It must be reasonable to meet the rent on both properties.
Benefit can be paid in this instance for a maximum of 52 weeks.
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Payments for two homes are not given automatically, so you will have to contact the Benefit Service in writing to request benefit on two homes.
Application for Benefit on Two Homes.
You must include the following information in your letter:
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the address of your old tenancy and the date that your tenancy ends
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the address of your new tenancy and the date that your tenancy starts
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the date you moved into your new tenancy
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your reasons for moving and why it was not possible to avoid an overlap.
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In certain situations we can pay benefit for a notice period, even if there is no liability where you are now living. This is in the following situations:
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People in hospital, who initially expected to return home but whose stay becomes permanent or they are discharged to a care home.
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People suddenly taken into hospital.
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Prisoners sentenced to a custodial term of more than 13 weeks.
A period of up to four weeks can be given, if the liability on the former home could not reasonably have been avoided, and the customer was otherwise entitled to Housing Benefit for that period.
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If you have been housed in two properties by the Local Authority because you have a large family benefit Housing Benefit can be paid on both properties without time limit.
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If one or both members of a couple are eligible students for Housing Benefit purposes and occupying two homes is unavoidable Housing Benefit can be paid on both properties without time limit.
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Housing Benefit can be paid for a maximum of 4 weeks prior to moving into the new home if;
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You have moved into the new home; and
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You had to make payments on your new home before moving in; and
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You make a claim for Housing Benefit before moving in; and you meet one of the following three criteria
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The move was delayed while necessary adaptations were made to the new home to meet the disabled needs of you or a member of your family; or
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The move was delayed pending the outcome of a social fund application relating to your new home and your family includes a child aged 5 years or less, or a pensioner or a disability premium applies; or
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you had to make payments for your new home while you were a patient in residential care, hospital or a nursing home.
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You must make a claim for Housing Benefit before you move into your new property.
Please use the section called other information on the benefit application form, to request benefit is paid before you move into the property. Please give as many details as possible
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