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Housing benefit
If you are on a low income you may be entitled to government benefit housing which is paid by your local council. When you move into one of our homes we will be able to tell you how to make a claim and give you the form to be completed. If you need any help completing the form, your Neighbourhood Housing officer or scheme manager will be able to help you.
If you do need to claim housing benefit you must do this as quickly as possible as it is not usually backdated. To help speed up the process you need to:
- provide all the information the housing benefit department asks for;
- check the progress of your claim regularly;
- tell us that you are claiming housing benefit and when you will start to receive it.
It is important that you give your council all the information they ask for. If there is information that you cannot provide straightaway then you must provide as much information as you can and forward the rest as quickly as possible.
The amount of benefit you will receive depends on your individual circumstances, such as:
- who lives with you;
- the amount of money you have coming in;
- any other benefits you receive and any savings you have.
Your local council will be able to help you with any queries. When you contact them, ask for the Revenues and Benefit office.
If you are in a sheltered housing home and receive housing benefit, part of your service charge may be paid for by the Supporting People programme.
Renewing your housing benefit or a change in your circumstances
Housing benefit payments are reviewed regularly and you may be sent a review form to complete as a part of the process. If you do receive a review form please complete and return it as soon as possible, not doing so may lead to your benefit being stopped.
If your circumstances change, it is important that you inform your local council If you don’t do this and your housing benefit has been overpaid, then the overpayment will either be deducted from future housing benefit payments or claimed back from Worthing Homes. If the overpayment is claimed back from Worthing Homes an invoice will be sent to you. Either of these could lead to rent arrears or debt, which is why it is important to advise of any changes to your circumstances as soon as they happen. These changes could be:
- when a child reaches 18 years old and no longer dependant;
- moving to a different address;
- a change in the income or benefit of anyone living in your household;
- you have had a baby;
- a person leaving or moving into your home;
- an increase or decrease in your savings;
- if your claim for income support stops (even for a short time);
- if your income support is replaced by another type of benefit such as job seeker’s allowance or retirement pension.
These are just some examples; there may be other changes that could affect your claim.
Be aware that if your rent has increased it may mean you are now entitled to receive housing benefit.
If you are unsure about a change, it is always best to speak to your local council.
