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How Housing Benefit is paid

council building

If your landlord is the council, then Housing Benefit will be paid to them direct. You don't have to do anything.

Landlord

The person you pay rent to is the landlord.

Housing Benefit

You can get help to pay your rent. It is called either Housing Benefit or Local Housing Allowance. It is paid by the council.

an arrow going in two directions to show choice

If your landlord is not the council, you can choose how the money is paid.

Landlord

The person you pay rent to is the landlord.

hand showing a cheque sent by post

You can tell the Housing Benefit people to:

send you a cheque by post

Housing Benefit

You can get help to pay your rent. It is called either Housing Benefit or Local Housing Allowance. It is paid by the council.

Cheque

This is a piece of paper that you can fill in to pay money to people.

benefits going into a bank account

put the money straight into your bank account

Bank account

You can put money in the bank and leave it there. Then when you need it you can take the money out to pay for things.

cheque from the council being paid directly to the landlord

or pay the money direct to your landlord.

Landlord

The person you pay rent to is the landlord.

housing benefit officer

The benefits adviser at the Housing Benefit office should help you to fill in the form correctly.

Benefits adviser

A benefits advisor could help you claim disability living allowance. They can also tell you about other benefits you might get.

Housing Benefit office

This is where you can go and talk to people about your Housing Benefit.

appointments diary

You might need to make an appointment to see them.

man sitting with a support worker

Or if you have a support worker, ask them to support you.

citizens advice bureau logo

Or go to the Citizens Advice Bureau and ask to speak to the benefits adviser. They will help with Housing Benefit and also other benefits you might be entitled to.

Citizens Advice Bureau

They help people who have money worries. They also help people claim benefits they are entitled to.

Benefits adviser

A benefits advisor could help you claim disability living allowance. They can also tell you about other benefits you might get.

Housing Benefit

You can get help to pay your rent. It is called either Housing Benefit or Local Housing Allowance. It is paid by the council.

Benefits

Money that is paid to people by the government. There are lots of different types of benefits and some people get more than one type.

Find out about Local Housing Allowance on the next page