Housing Benefit

 

Housing Benefit is money to help people on low incomes pay their Rent. Housing Benefit is governed by The Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987. This page will tell you what you need to know about applying for Housing Benefit.

 

 

Who can claim?

 

Any tenant can make a claim for Housing Benefit if they rent accommodation from any of the following: 

  • Housing Co-op
  • Housing Association 
  • Private Landlord or Factor

For Private Tenants claiming Housing Benefit after 6th April, 2008 please see here for details of Local Housing Allowance.

 

 

In certain circumstances, we may backdate your claim for Housing Benefit to a date before you made your claim.

 

What we need to process a claim

 

All applications for Housing Benefit must be supported with:

  • claimant (and partner’s) National Insurance Number
  • proof of identity

 

In addition you may be asked to provide evidence in connection with your: 

  • income - earnings, pensions, benefits 
  • rent
  • other people who live with you.

 

If supporting evidence is not provided you may lose your Benefit.

 

 

How we work it out

 

The amount of Housing Benefit you will receive depends on:

 

  • how much rent you pay
  • your (and your partner’s) weekly income
  • any savings or investments you (and your partner) have
  • your age and the age of any member of your family who lives with you and
  • whether anyone else (such as a lodger) lives with you

If you don't agree with us you can appeal our decision.

 

 

How it is paid

 

Housing Benefit is paid monthly. 

 

If you live in property owned by a Housing Association or similar then we will pay your Housing Benefit direct to your landlord.

 

If you are a Private tenant from 7th April 2008 in most circumstances we will pay your Housing Benefit direct to you. More information on this can be found under the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) link. 

 

Keeping your benefit right 

 

In order to avoid overpayments and potentially court proceedings it is important that you Tell Us of any changes in your circumstances. By telling us you will help us keep your benefit right. 

 

You need to Tell Us if

 

you or your partner:

 

  • stop or start getting Social Security benefits
  • start work or change jobs
  • have an increase or decrease in wages
  • have savings or investments where the value goes up or down
  • go into hospital

 

You also need to Tell Us if

 

  • any of your children leave school
  • you change address
  • the number of people living with you changes, for example:
    • you have a child
    • other people come to live with you
    • you foster a child or children
    • other people leave your house.

 

If you are unsure what changes affect your claim please contact your local designated Benefit Centre, details of which are listed below.

 

Anniesland - 841 Crow Rd - phone 287 1000

Castlemilk - 61 Dougrie Dr -  287 1170

Easterhouse - 7 Shandwick St - 287 1270

Govan - 780 Govan Rd - 287 1300

Maryhill - 1 Gairgraid Ave - 287 1380

Parkhead - 125 Westmuir St - 287 1500

Shawbridge - 24/34 Shawbridge Arcade - 287 0681

Springburn - 30 Charles St - 287 0722

City Centre - 280 George St - 287 2000

Owner occupiers - 45 John St - 0845 600 8040

Homeless - 100 Morrison St - 276 5888

 

Please remember that informing agencies of the Department for Work and Pensions or other offices such as Welfare Rights, Social Work Department or Landlord of your changes in circumstances does not mean that we will always automatically be told.

 

 

Review of claims

 

Following your payment of Housing Benefit your claim will be subject to regular review. The Council is obliged to do this under benefit regulations. To assist our customers as much as possible the Council has introduced a Benefits Home Visiting Team, who may be used to help you complete the review form in your own home.

 

If we are unable to review your claim this may lead to the Council cancelling your Housing Benefit. 

  

Discretionary Housing Payment Fund

 

If you are receiving Housing Benefit but are still having difficulty meeting your Rent payments, you may be able to get extra help from the Discretionary Housing Payment Fund.

 

 

Additional Information

 

General information on all aspects of Housing Benefit is available in different languages and braille format from http://www.benefit-leaflets.org/ Leaflets are available via download.

Glasgow City Council do not accept any responsibility for information contained within any external websites.

 

If you require further information about Housing Benefit please contact us.