Claiming Benefit on Two Homes
Housing benefit is usually only paid for the home in which you
are living and paying rent. There are some circumstances in which
you may be able to get help for two homes, for example:
- You have moved into other rented accommodation due to fear of
violence
- You are a student or trainee, one of a couple, and have to live
in separate rented accommodation because of your course or
work
- You have a large family and the Council has housed you in two
separate properties
- You have move to a new home which you have to pay rent for but
you must still pay rent for your old home
If you think that any of these may apply to you, further details
are given in this page to help you.
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 consider 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 and live ion the home you
left.
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 both homes. There is no time
limit on this provision.
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 you in one home, benefit may be 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.
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 home.
Contact
Tel: 01304 872199
Email: revenues@dover.gov.uk
