Housing Payment Scheme
Housing Payment
Local Authorities are able to award Housing Payments where, in our view, you need further help, in addition to benefit already received, to meet your housing costs. The following questions and answers should help you in deciding what to do next. If you still have questions after reading what is set out below, please do not hesitate in contacting the Council's benefits team.
What do we mean by housing costs?
In general, 'housing costs' refer to rental liability as well as rent in advance, rental deposits, and in some instances lump sum costs associated with a housing need, such as removal costs.
The following are not included:-
- Ineligible service charges;
- Charges for water/sewerage;
- Increases in rent due to outstanding rent arrears;
- Sanctions and reductions in benefit;
- Shortfall caused by HB or UC overpayment recovery;
- Benefit suspensions
Is a Housing Payment a payment of housing benefit?
No. Housing Payments are funded by the Crisis and Resilience Fund (classified as Local Welfare Provision), although the award may be made with your normal housing benefit payment.
If my application is successful, how much will I get and for how long?
Each application will be considered on its own merits. In the case of a successful application, the amount of award and the length of award will be decided on an individual basis. The funding is allocated from the Crisis and Resilience Fund and therefore it is likely that any housing payment award will be granted for a short time while you are trying to resolve the difficulties you are experiencing.
What sort of things will you take into account when deciding whether or not a Housing Payment award can be made?
We will ask you:-
- Whether or not you knew the full rent would not be paid by housing benefit/universal credit prior to moving into your home;
- Whether you have tried to find cheaper accommodation;
- Whether you or any member of your household suffer from health problems that would need to be taken into account;
- Whether you have any capital assets that would help you financially;
- How much your weekly income and expenditure add up to. We will ask what type of expenditure. We may reduce the expenditure if we deem it not to be a 'reasonable' cost.
Who can apply for a Housing Payment?
The person who claims and is in receipt of housing benefit/housing costs within a universal credit claim. Applications can also be accepted from someone acting on behalf of the applicant, such as an appointee, a friend or relative, or a voluntary and community sector organisation. Evidence must be supplied that this person is able to act on behalf of the applicant.
If the applicant is not eligible for housing benefit or housing costs within a universal credit award a Housing Payment cannot be considered.
How do I apply for a Housing Payment?
You will need to fully complete an application form and submit the required evidence in all instances. The form can be downloaded from the Torridge District Council website, obtained from the Council Office in Bideford or issued via the post/e-mailed to the applicant.
The following evidence will need to be provided to support all claims:
- Previous 2 months full bank statements of all accounts held for the applicant and any partner;
- Tenancy agreement showing the rental charge, any deposit/rent in advance due, landlords full details;
- Universal credit award letter showing a full breakdown of the award including housing costs
Then what happens?
The Council will write to you and let you know of the decision. We aim to make a decision within 21 working days from the date of receipt of all relevant information, however, this may not always be possible.
If your application is successful, you will be advised of the award and requirement for you to tell the benefits team of any future changes in circumstance that may be relevant to the award of Housing Payment. Changes should be reported within one calendar month of the change.
What happens if I apply and am not happy about the outcome of my application?
This scheme is not part of the housing benefit scheme. The decision is not subject, therefore, to the same rights of appeal to a Social Security Tribunal. However, if you are not happy with a decision you can write to the benefits team within one calendar month of the date of the decision, giving your reasons and any additional evidence, at which time the decision will be looked at again by an officer who did not make the original decision.
Overpayment of a housing payment
An Authority can recover a housing payment award where there has been:
- A misrepresentation or failure to disclose a material fact or change of circumstance by the claimant (either fraudulently or otherwise);
- An error made when the application was determined.
Additional support
Torridge District Council maintains a cost of living page which can be found at:
www.torridge.gov.uk/costoflivinghelp
Privacy notice:
Torridge District Council collects stores and processes your personal information in accordance with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679) and Data Protection Act 2018.
Our lawful basis has been determined as:
- Legal Obligation - in relation to personal data
- Social Security Law - in relation to 'special category' personal data
Personal information provided on this form may be shared with other council services where this assists in the delivery of those services.
Personal information provided on this form may be shared with third parties where we are legally obliged to do so, or where this is necessary to enable us to provide the service requested.
To view our full privacy policy including information on your rights, how to contact the Data Protection Officer, data retention information, more detail on information sharing and how to provide feedback or make a complaint, please see the privacy pages of our website: www.torridge.gov.uk/privacypolicy
Alternatively, a full copy of our privacy policy can be viewed at our main office or a copy can be requested by writing to:
Data Protection Officer
Riverbank House
Bideford,
Devon,
EX39 2QG
