How will my benefit be paid?

If you rent your property from a registered social landlord (sometimes called a housing association) or a private landlord , then we can pay the benefit to either you or your landlord. To find out more about this see local housing allowance safeguards policy.

Payment to your landlord

If you wish to pay your housing benefit to your landlord please call us on 020 7525 1880 to let us know. Or you can download a form and send it back to us.

Payment to you

We can arrange to pay your housing benefit directly into your bank, post office or building society account and in exceptional circumstances we can pay by cheque. However, we recommend that it is paid directly into an account because it is safe and secure. If your claim is already in payment and you wish to change the method by which we pay you please call 020 7525 1880.

Council tax benefit

If you are awarded either council tax benefit or second adult rebate it will be credited to your council tax account and you will be issued with a revised bill, together with payment details. If you have made payments and your account is now in credit, you can request a refund claim form.