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Contact the Benefits team using the online contact form.
When you are in receipt of Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit and you move house, you have certain responsibilities in respect of that benefit. Similarly the Housing Benefit Section has responsibilities and duties to you.
You must:
Tell us as soon as you move house. Please try to tell us before you move but if you cannot so this, tell us as soon after the move as you can. It is important that you let us know quickly as any overpaid benefit caused by your move will be recoverable. Moving House?
Where you are a tenant of a private landlord, you should apply for a Pre-Tenancy Determination before you agree to take on the tenancy. This will tell you how much rent is reasonable for the property before you agree to the tenancy. This can then be used as a guide as to how much benefit you may be entitled to.
You will need to complete a new Application Form for Benefit for your new home.
If you are unable to move into your new home straight away, please contact us on (01473) 825898 for further information.
You must also tell us about any other changes in your circumstances.
We will:
Assess your claim as soon as possible once all information required to process the claim has been received.
You may be able to apply for benefit at your old and new addresses - "overlapping benefit". We will look fairly at the reasons why you may need benefit for two properties. We will decide if benefit can be paid and inform you in writing of the decision made. If we have refused payment of benefit on two addresses, we will give you the reasons. You have the right to appeal against this decision. Claiming benefit on two homes
Further information
It is always advisable to get in contact with us before moving. This applies to all claimants, but especially if you are already or are thinking about renting a privately rented property.
We will be able to give you an estimate on the amount of benefit that you may be entitled to. There is a benefit calculator on this website. If you have to pay part of your rent or Council Tax out of your other living expenses, you may decide that you cannot afford that particular accommodation.
Benefit can only be paid once you have moved into a property. For Benefit to be paid from the start of your tenancy, you should complete and return a new Application Form to our office within the week that you move in.
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