How is housing and council tax benefit paid?

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Last revised: 18 September 2008

Council Tax Benefit


If you qualify for Council Tax benefit this will be paid into your Council Tax account reducing the amount you have to pay. Once your benefit is worked out we will send you a new Council Tax Bill.  This will show if you have anything to pay, and if so what the new instalments will be.

Housing Benefit


In most cases your benefit will be paid to you, if you receive Local Housing Allowance then we must pay this direct to you unless there is a reason, for example being in rent arrears or having difficulty in managing your financial affairs. If you are in receipt of Local Housing Allowance and you would like us to consider paying your landlord directly you should complete the Application for Payment Direct to your Landlord form

If you rent your home from a Housing Association then you can choose whether you wish to have payment made direct to yourself or your landlord. Payments can be made directly to your bank account, or alternatively by cheque.  If you do not have a bank account you will need to open one to receive payments, for further infomation please see our page on opening a bank account.

The regulations state we cannot pay your housing benefit in advance, payment is made four weekly in arrears



What if my circumstances change?