Housing Benefit

Benefits statement of intent

Medway Revenues and Benefits Service statement of intent reflects the type of service the council aims to provide and links the vision for the Housing and Council Tax Benefit service to the aims and objectives of the Corporate Plan, Community Plan and national Performance Standards aims and objectives.

The council is committed to providing an accessible, high performing benefits service that recognises and meets the needs of the local community and contributes to its overall welfare. Part of this commitment includes having a take up strategy (pdf 249KB) to promote Welfare Benefits and in particular, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

To use the pdf above you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have it on your computer, please use the advice page.

What is Housing Benefit?

Housing Benefit is a means-tested benefit payable to people on a low income who are liable to pay rent for accommodation they are occupying as their home. It is paid whether or not they are available for or in full-time work and is paid in addition to other benefits or tax credits.

How is Housing Benefit worked out?

Housing Benefit adds together the same allowances and premiums (not housing costs) as Income Support to come up with an applicable amount, then:

• if your income (earnings, benefits, capital etc.) is less than your applicable amount, your Housing Benefit entitlement will be 100 per cent of your eligible rent but;
• if your income is more than your applicable amount, your Housing Benefit will be reduced by 65 per cent of the difference between your applicable amount and income.

From 7 April 2008 Local Housing Allowance is a new way of working out new claims for Housing Benefit tenants renting accommodation from a private landlord. It also affects tenants already getting Housing Benefit who move into accommodation rented from a private landlord. If tenants live in council accommodation or other social housing, Local Housing Allowance will not affect them.

For people who receive Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit and appear to need further help they can apply for Discretionary Housing Payments.

Who can claim Housing Benefit

To be eligible for Housing Benefit, you must:

• have less than £16,000 in savings and capital;
• have a low enough income (how low depends on your circumstances);
• be treated as liable to pay rent on your normal home;
• normally occupy that accommodation as your home;
• not be excluded from claiming.

How to claim

To claim housing benefits, tenants will need to complete an application form:

• from the Contact Point, Chatham;
• by telephoning one of the numbers below;
• by requesting an online Housing Benefits form.

It is important that to return the form as soon as possible because the benefit will normally start from the day the council receives the claim.

You will also need to provide evidence of your income, savings and rent.

Do not wait until you have all the proof asked for on the form; this can be sent separately.

How benefit is paid

If you pay your rent to Medway Council or mhs housing, payments will be made directly to your rent account.

Under the new Local Housing Allowance scheme if you pay rent to a private landlord, payment will be made directly to yourself .

If payment is made to you this will be done every two weeks in arrears. If payment is made to your landlord this will be done every four weeks in arrears.

Second adult rebate

If tenants do not qualify for council tax benefit because their income is too high, they may still qualify for a 25 per cent reduction in their council tax bill if there are other people living with them who have a low income.

Tenants can also estimate their entitlement to housing benefit online.

Further benefits advice can be found on theDWP Benefits Advisor Service (www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/index.htm).

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