Housing benefit run-on?

[MollyO]

Is there a run-on payment of housing benefit after signing off due to obtaining work? How does that work if you start your job a week or so after the last regular payment?

[san_d]

I think it has been abolished but the regulars here might prove me wrong.

[MollyO]

How long is the arrears period for payment? Do you get the first payment right at the first four-week mark, or is it delayed?

[flumps1976]

The run on schemes ceased on 31st March 2013.

[MollyO]

Thanks for the info, do you know the answer to my second question about how long the arrears period is?

[sallysas]

Extended payment period is still awarded nationally - it just gets a bit sticky if you jsa/is stopped the first week in April for council tax - but only sticky for that one week. You have to have been on a passported benefit (esa, jsa(ib) or IS) for 6 months without a break to qualify. As to how long it will take to process a claim - how busy is your local council who action this? Write to them (if you haven't already done so in response to a letter stating your HB is suspended) and provide either a letter from your employer or whatever payslips you have to hand.

[MollyO]

Thanks for the information.

[san_d]

The run on schemes ceased on 31st March 2013.

 

Sorry for reopening this thread. Is this retroactive? I was on JSA from last December till last week. Could I still qualify? I've received a letter from the DWP saying that I don't qualify for the HB run-on but I should still contact the Local Authority and ask them to grant me the run on. Does it make sense?

 

And incidentally, I've notified the DWP but the Council has not sent me any letter yet. Is it my responsibility to contact the Council or am I satisfied that I've signed off? The folks at the DWP have told me I'm ok.