How to deal with housing benefit delays

When you give the council all the information they need, they should start paying your housing benefit within 2 weeks.

If your council cannot set up your claim in 2 weeks, they should give you some money for rent in the meantime.

The money they pay you in the meantime is called an interim payment or a payment on account.

How to keep delays short

Take these steps to help the council set up your claim as soon as possible.

1. Send the council all the information it needs

Your housing benefit application form should tell you what the council needs.

You can also ask the council's housing benefit department.

The council need things like:

• proof of your identity, like a passport or driver's licence

• your national insurance number

• your tenancy agreement, an energy bill or something to show your address

• your tenancy agreement to show how much your rent is

• wages slips if you are working

• bank statements

2. Answer questions quickly

You usually have a month to give your council the information it needs. They might close your claim if you do not.

Let the council know if you do not have what they ask for.

They might agree to take different information or documents.

Keep a record of the information you send. Get receipts for documents you hand over.

3. Check the council got your application

Make sure the council gets your application and all the right information.

Most councils send a letter or email to say they got your application.

4. Keep your original documents

The council's housing benefit team wants to see the originals of important documents like your passport and driver's licence.

Ask them to make copies of your original documents and leave you with the originals.

What to do if your claim is delayed

Take these steps if you have given the council everything but your claim has not started.

1. Contact the council

Ask why your housing benefit claim is delayed and see if there's anything you need to do.

You can complain to the council if you have to wait too long. 

2. Check on your interim payment

If you are a private or housing association tenant, the council should give you money for your rent as long as they have the information they need.

Contact your council and ask for an interim payment or payment on account if you do not get any money after 2 weeks.

3. Keep paying your rent

Pay something if you can. Small and regular payments are better than not paying anything.

Find out how to deal with rent arrears.

4. Keep your landlord updated

Contact your landlord if housing benefit delays mean you will miss a rent payment.

Tell them you will get housing benefit soon.

Still need help?

An adviser could help with benefit problems: