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• When does my benefit start?

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• When does my benefit start?

When does my benefit start?

Your benefit usually starts from the Monday after we get your claim form. However, there are special rules for people changing their address within the District.

If you think your benefit should start earlier
How quickly will my benefit be paid?
How will I be paid? 

If you think your benefit should start earlier

If you think your benefit should start earlier, you can say so on the form.

Please write down:-

• The date you think your benefit should start
• The reason why you did not claim earlier

If you or your partner have reached the qualifying age for state pension credit, your claim covers any period in the three months before the day the claim is actually received by your Local Authority - but only back to the day that you reached state pension credit age or the day you became liable for rent or council tax, if this is later.

If you or your partner are under the qualifying age for state pension credit, you may apply for benefit from an earlier date. This is called backdating. Your benefit may be backdated by up to six months before the day the Local Authority receives your written request however you must show that you 'had continuous good cause' for failure to make the claim earlier.

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How quickly will my benefit be paid?

All Housing Benefit claims are dealt with as soon as possible. How long it takes to work out your claim depends on:-

• How quickly you send in all the information
• How busy we are when you make your claim

If you are in very urgent need, you can get a payment on account. But you can only have one if you have sent us all the information we have asked for from you and your landlord.

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How will I be paid?

Housing Benefit is paid by BACS into your bank or building society account or, in exceptional circumstances, by cheque crossed 'account payee'.

If you are owed payment and need it urgently (e.g.) to prevent being evicted we can arrange a payment quickly.

We usually have to pay your Housing Benefit straight to your landlord if you owe 8 or more weeks rent.

Housing Benefit 4-Weekly Payment Schedule For Financial Year 2013 - 2014

The payments for Housing Benefit are made 4-weekly in arrears to either you or your landlord as shown below:

(These payment periods also apply to Bromford Living)

If date of payment follows or is a bank holiday, please allow extra time for the payment to be credited to your nominated account.

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