Extended payment of Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Reduction

An extended payment is a continuation of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction or both for up to four weeks when you start a new job or increase your working hours.

Who qualifies for extended payment

You qualify for extended benefit payments all of these must apply.

• you or your partner started employment or increased the hours you work
• the change in working hours is expected to last five weeks or more
• immediately before this change, you or your partner continuously received any or a combination of Income-Based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Income Related Employment and Support Allowance/Severe Disability Allowance for at least 26 weeks and this has now stopped or is due to end
• you're under 60
• you're still liable to pay rent, Council Tax or both

Please get in touch with us for further information.

How much you get

You will normally receive the same amount of any Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction as you did in the last week before the change.

If you're going to be self-employed

The same conditions generally apply if you are becoming self-employed and the work is genuine and effective. You can get in touch for advice about this.

When the extended payment is due to end or has finished

If your income is low enough, you may still be entitled to claim Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Reduction. Don't wait until the extended benefit period has finished.

How to extend benefit payment

It is important to let us know of any changes to your household income as soon as possible.

To extend benefit payment you need to tell us about the change within a month. 

• If your claim is not in payment you should apply for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction 
• If your claim is in payment you should tell us about a change in circumstances 

When we receive your form, report and evidence we'll assess your entitlement based on your circumstances.