KEY FACTS:
- Many working age people are not able to make a new claim for Housing Benefit and need to make a claim for Universal Credit instead* - BUT - some are wrongly told they have to claim UC when they don't need to! Click here.
- If able to claim, the claimant should make the claim as soon as possible - any delay may mean they miss out on some HB. If they have delayed making their claim they may be able to get it backdated.
- Claims can be made directly to the HB Office - on a claim form, by registering their intention to claim over the phone, or by claiming on-line where the HB Office have this facility. (If someone has logged their intention to claim and the HB Office haven't acted on it there is no time limit to complete the claim!)
- In some situations it is important to know who should make the claim, and if there are any special rules that apply - ie joint tenants, people living in 'hostels', couples.
- Some claimants will make their claim for HB via the Pension Service. Sometimes this process breaks down and the claimant may have grounds for appeal if they would otherwise miss out on some HB.
- For HB to be paid, the claimant must submit an 'effective' claim which means providing all the information and evidence reasonably requested within specific timescales.
Is a new claim really needed when a previous award has been terminated? Usually it is better to get the award
reinstated to avoid loss of benefit and the impact of welfare reforms.