Claiming Housing Benefit on Two Homes
Housing Benefit is usually only paid for the home in which you
are currently living and paying rent. However, there are some
circumstances where you may be able to get help for two homes, for
example:
- You have a large family and the Council has housed you in two
separate properties;
- You are a student or trainee, one of a couple, and have to live
separate rented accommodation because of your course or work;
- You have moved into other rented accommodation due to fear of
violence;
- You have to move into a new home which you have to pay rent for
but you must still pay rent for your old home
Further information about this is provided on this page, but if,
having read the information you are not sure if any of these
apply to yourself, please call the Benefits Helpline on
(01622) 602557.
Large Families
If you have a large family and the council has housed you in two
separate dwellings because your household is too large for them to
place in one home, benefit maybe paid on both properties. To
qualify, both properties must be public housing whether or not
provided directly by the council and should be adjacent to each
other. There is no time limit for this provision.
Students or Trainees
Couples who are living in separate rented accommodation may
receive benefit for both properties.
We must consider that separate accommodation is unavoidable and
it is reasonable to pay benefit on two homes. There is no
time limit on this provision.
Fear of Violence
Where you have left your former home and remain absent due to
fear of violence occurring either in your home by another person or
outside your home by a former member of your family, benefit may be
paid.
In all cases, we must investigate if it is reasonable to do so
and benefit may be paid for a maximum of 52 weeks. For
benefit to be paid, you must intend to return to live in the
property you left.
Unavoidable Overlapping Benefit
If you have moved to a new home which you rent and you still
have to pay rent for your old home, help may be available. If
the situation is unavoidable, e.g you were offered a new home to
rent but were unable to give your landlord the notice he required,
benefit may be paid for up to 4 weeks on your old home. For
this to be considered you must have moved into your new
property.
This page was last updated on 4/3/2008