How we pay Housing Benefit

If you are a council tenant you will get a rent rebate. This means any benefit due is paid directly to your rent account. If your benefit changes, the amount of rent you pay will change as well. If the rent rebate does not cover all of the rent, you will need to pay the shortfall.

If you are a private tenant or a Housing Association tenant you will get a rent allowance. This will be paid to you every two weeks or to your landlord every four weeks, in arrears.

You can write to us and ask us to pay your Housing Benefit direct to your landlord. View and download the appropriate form below:

The payments may also be made direct to your landlord without your permission, in certain circumstances.

Page last reviewed 13 Feb 2008