Benefits calculator

Report a change in circumstances online

or

download a form

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

Extended payments when returning to work

What are extended payments?

Payments of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit that carry on for an extra 4 weeks at the amount you have been getting.

Who can claim?

You can claim for extended payments if you, or your partner, are:

• starting work or increasing your hours and expect your new work or increased hours to last for 5 weeks or more

   and

• have had an entitlement to Jobseeker’s Allowance (Income-Based or Contribution-Based), Income Support or Incapacity Benefit for a continuous period of 26 weeks or more

   and

• are under 60 years of age

How do I claim?

You must write to us straight away if you think you are entitled to extended payments.

We will contact The Department for Work and Pensions to confirm that you qualify, and send you a new Housing Benefit application form to fill in.

What happens next?

We will write telling you if you qualify for extended payments. If you do, the extended payment period will last for up to 4 weeks, starting on the Monday following the date you, or your partner, stop receiving any of the benefits shown in ‘Who can claim?’(above).

We will cancel your benefits claim when the extended payment period ends.

However, you may want to apply for help based on your new circumstances. If so, you will have to fill in a new Housing Benefit application form, and return it to us soon as possible, as this will affect the start of your new claim. You will also have to supply proof of all household income and capital.

We will work out your claim based on your new circumstances.

What if I move?

You may still qualify for extended payments even if you move in or out of Thanet. Contact the Benefits Service for further advice.

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).