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  1. Home
  2. Council tax and benefits
  3. Benefits
  4. A guide to Housing Benefit

A guide to Housing Benefit

In this section

  1. A guide to Housing Benefit
  2. Types of accommodation eligible
  3. How much you will get
  4. How the amount you get is calculated
  5. You are here: How housing benefit is paid
  6. Claim housing benefit
  7. Sharing information about your claim

How housing benefit is paid

Council tenants will have their housing benefit credited directly to their housing rent account.

Housing Association tenants can choose from these options:

  • direct to bank account
  • via crossed-cheque

Private tenants can choose from these options:

  • direct to bank account
  • via crossed-cheque

You can have payments made direct to your landlord via either of the above two options and only if any of the below apply:

  • you are unable to open a bank account because of an discharged bankruptcy or financial fraud
  • you have an addiction to drugs, alcohol or gambling, or have certain medical conditions
  • you cannot read or write, speak English, or you have learning difficulties
  • you are fleeing domestic violence, leaving care or leaving prison
  • your landlord has agreed to reduce your rent if you have your local housing allowance paid directly to them
  • your rent is eight weeks or more behind, we can pay directly.
  • Previous page: How the amount you get is calculated
  • Next page: Claim housing benefit

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