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:
If you think that any of these may apply to you, further details are given in this page to help you.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If you have any questions or would like any more information, please contact the Helpline on (01304) 872199 or write to:
Benefits Section
Dover District Council
White Cliffs Business Park
Dover
Kent
CT16 3PJ
E-mail: revenues@dover.gov.uk
