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Council Rent Arrears

E-mail:

Benefits@thanet.gov.uk

 

Phone:

 

from 9am to 5.30pm.  If your family name begins:

 

A-Don call (01843) 577554

 

Doo-Ker call
(01843) 577555

 

Kes-Ric call
(01843) 577556

 

Rid-Z call (01843) 577551

 

Fax: 01843 577532

 

or Visit our offices

Help with your rent

The information below applies to claims received before 7th April 2008, if you are renting from a private landlord or are a Council tenant.

 

If you are claiming on or after 7th April 2008, and rent your property from a private landlord, most claims will fall under the new Local Housing Allowance Scheme. For further information please see 'Local Housing Allowance' .

 

 

This information is only a general guide, and is not a full and authoritative statement of the law. Contact us for more information.

What is Housing Benefit?

Housing Benefit is help towards rent for people on low income. It is paid by Thanet District Council.

Who can claim Housing Benefit?

• Anyone who has to pay rent for their home can claim.
• If your landlord is the Council, a housing association, a private individual or company, you can still claim.
• Boarders, lodgers, and people in hostels and bed & breakfast accommodation can also claim.
• You do not have to be out of work to claim.

 

However, you will not normally receive Housing Benefit if you are living with a close relative and paying them rent.

Who can’t claim Housing Benefit?

You can’t claim Housing Benefit if you:

• Are not the householder
• Have more than £16,000 in capital (unless you receive guaranteed pension credit)
• Are excluded from receiving public funds, due to your status in the UK
• Are a full-time student – unless you are also one of the following:

 - a lone parent

 - a disabled person

 - under 19 years-old and following a further education
   course

 - aged 60 or more

What can’t I claim Housing Benefit for?

You cannot claim help towards things like mortgage costs, meals, fuel charges, washing, and nursing care.

How can I claim Housing Benefit?

By filling in Thanet District Council’s Housing Benefit application form online or you can get one by visiting your local Council office or by contacting us.

 

It is very important that your application form is handed in as soon as possible – if you delay you may lose benefit.

Do you need anything else with my application form?

Yes. You must provide:

• Proof of identity for you and your partner
• National Insurance number for you and your partner
• Proof of all household income
• Proof of all capital for you and your partner
• Proof of your rent

 

You must provide original documents – we can not accept copies.

How is Housing Benefit paid?

If you are a private tenant, we will normally pay your benefit every 2 weeks, or you can ask us to pay it directly to your landlord every 4 weeks. Council tenants have their Housing Benefit paid direct to their rent account.

Will I get all my rent paid?

Housing Benefit does not guarantee to pay a person’s full rent.

If you are renting from a private landlord, we need to know if the rent is reasonable. To do this we will send your claim to The Rent Service – an agency specialising in valuing rented properties. The Rent Officer will examine your rent and decide if it is reasonable compared to local market levels. The Rent Officer may give a lower valuation if you are living in property that is too large for your needs.

 

Also, your benefit may be reduced if you have a non-dependant living with you (see Housing Benefit and The Rent Service).

If I’m under 25 years-old and single with no dependants, will I get Housing Benefit?

Yes, although your benefit may be restricted to the rent level for a single room with shared facilities.

Can my claim be backdated?

It may be possible to backdate your Housing Benefit for up to 52 weeks, if you can provide proof of an earlier claim, or you can show continuous good cause for not applying earlier. If you want to request backdating you must do it in writing.

If I am overpaid benefit, will I have to pay it back?

You may be asked to repay an overpayment where it is your fault, or where you could have known that you were being overpaid benefit (see Benefit overpayment)

Unhappy with the final decision?

If you would like more information about how your benefit is worked out, you must write to the Benefits Service asking for full details.

 

If you are unhappy with how we have worked out your benefit, you have the right to appeal.  You should do this in writing, within one month of receiving notification of your benefit entitlement (see Reviews and Appeals).