How will my Local Housing Allowance be paid
If you are in receipt of Local Housing Allowance then this will be paid directly to you, either by cheque or direct transfer, with payment being made four weekly in arrears. If you do not have a bank account please read the information on our page How to open a bank account for benefit payment
Under the new rules you cannot choose to have payment made directly to your landlord. We can pay your landlord if we decide that you are a vulnerable person, or we can pay your landlord direct without your permission if you are over eight weeks in arrears with your rent
.What do we mean by vulnerable?
By vulnerable we mean someone who may have difficulty managing their money. we do not mean someone who does not want to pay their rent.
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There are many reasons why someone cannot manage their money. A vulnerable tenant might be someone who
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has severe debt problems
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has a recent County Court Judgement against them
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is an undischarged bankrupt
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has some of their Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance deducted to pay directly for utility bill arrears
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is getting help from Support People.
We may look into whether the tenant is vulnerable if the tenant
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has learning difficulties
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has an illness that stops them managing on a day to day basis
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cannot read or speak English
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is addicted to drugs, alcohol or gambling
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is homeless
Who decides who is vulnerable?
The council decides if someone is vulnerable. We must have evidence in writing that the tenant cannot manage their money. If you consider that you cannot manage your affairs and want your benefit paid direct to your landlord, you or someone helping you shoulc complete our payment direct application form which you can download below.
Payment Direct Application Form
Making a Decision
We will decide as quickly as possible if someone is vulnerable, whilst this is being worked on payment of Local Housing Allowance will continue to thetenant. Once we have made our decision we will notfiy you as soon as possible.
If you or your landlord disagrees with our decision then you can appeal. The rules for this are the same as the rules for Housing Benefit please see the information contained on our Appeals page, or contact us for details.