Housing Benefit on Two Homes

We normally only pay Housing Benefit for the property that you live in as your home. However, in special circumstances, we can pay Housing Benefit for two homes.   

We can pay Housing Benefit for two homes for up to four weeks when:

• ·you have moved into your new home;
  and

• ·you could not reasonably have avoided paying rent on both properties (however, we would not normally pay in relation to unavoidable overlapping liability if the landlord is the same at both addresses);
  or

• ·you cannot move in because you are waiting for disability adaptations to the new property; and

• ·the delay in moving in is reasonable.

We can pay Housing Benefit for two homes for up to 52 weeks when:

• ·you have left your home through fear of violence;  

• ·you plan to return to your home;

• ·you are responsible for paying the rent for both that home and where you are now living;
  and

• ·it is reasonable to pay the rent for both properties.

We can also pay Housing Benefit for two homes for an indefinite period when:

• we have had to house you in two separate properties because of the size of your family;
  or

• ·you are part of a couple and one or both or you are students (who qualify for Housing Benefit under the student rules);
  and

• ·you cannot avoid living in two homes;
  and

• ·it is reasonable to pay rent for both properties.  

Housing Benefit payments for a previous address for up to four weeks

We can also pay Housing Benefit for your  previous home for up to four weeks, even if you do not have to pay for rent for your new home when:

• ·you have moved into your new home;
  and

• ·you could not reasonably have avoided paying rent for your previous home.

How can I claim Housing Benefit on two homes or for a previous address?

You do not have to make a separate claim, but you will need to provide evidence that you meet  the eligibility conditions.

Housing Benefit before moving in

We can also pay Housing Benefit  for a new property for up to four weeks before the date that you moved into your new home in the following circumstances.

• ·You must have moved into your property and made a claim either before or in the first week of your new liability
  and

• You delayed moving in because you were waiting for disability adaptations to the new property;
  or

• ·You were waiting for a social fund payment to help with moving or setting up home;
  and

• ·You are aged 60 or over, or have a child aged under six, or someone in the family is disabled for Housing Benefit purposes;
  or

• ·You were waiting to leave hospital, a care home or an independent hospital.

In all cases, the delay in moving in must be reasonable.

If you think you qualify for this extra Housing Benefit, you must write to us as soon as possible and send it to us at:

Revenue Services
PO Box 355
Hounslow
TW3 4PJ.

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Revenues Services offices:

The Civic Centre
Lampton Road
Hounslow

St Catherine’s House
2 Hanworth Road
Feltham

Chiswick Town Hall
Heathfield Terrace
Chiswick

All of our offices are open from 8.45am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, and from 8.45am to 4.45pm on Fridays.

Phone: 020 8583 4242

Phone lines are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, and from 8.45am to 4.45pm on Fridays.