The table below shows how Housing Benefit is paid.

Housing Benefit is usually paid on a Monday except for Bank Holidays. Some banks can take up to three days to process payments. Bear this in mind before contacting us regarding missing payments.

Housing Benefit paid to your landlord

If you are a private tenant we will normally pay Housing Benefit directly to you, rather than to your landlord.

We can only pay Housing Benefit directly to your landlord if you are in 8 weeks or more rent arrears, if you are unlikely to pay the rent or have difficulty managing your finances, or if you are considered to be vulnerable.

Housing Benefit paid directly into your bank account

We pay Housing Benefit directly into your bank account via BACS (Banker’s Automated Clearing Services). This is a scheme which takes up to 3 working days for the money to appear in your bank account.

You need to provide us with your bank details so we can make payments directly to you via BACS. If we are paying your landlord, we will need their bank details in order to pay them directly via BACS.

If you would like to set up BACS payments on your Housing Benefit claim, or would like us to change the bank account in which we pay you, you will need to complete a BACS form. You can also provide us with these details of the bank account you would like your Housing Benefit to be paid into:

• name of bank
• branch address
• name as it appears on bank card
• sort code

You will need to provide your BACS information in writing or a letter scanned and sent via e-mail. We can only accept e-mails regarding your BACS details if your email address contains your name. Any written correspondence you send us regarding setting up or changing your BACS details must be signed and dated.