Starting work - changes to your Housing Benefit
If you've started work you need to tell us by
completing the changes to your
circumstances.
Did you know you can get 4 weeks extra benefit if you start
work?
If you've been on Income Support, income-based Jobseekers
Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance or
Employment Support Allowance for 26 weeks or more, immediately
before starting work, you may be entitled to an
extended payment of Housing Benefit.
This means that for the first 4 weeks after you start work
you'll continue to get the same amount of Housing Benefit that
was in payment before starting work.
Extended Payment (EP): To claim your EP you
need do nothing. For those who got Income Support,
income-based Jobseekers Allowance or Employment Support
Allowance we can process your EP using information
from Jobcentre Plus when they tell us you've started
work. For those getting Incapacity Benefit or Severe
Disablement Allowance we'll pick the information up when you submit
your new benefit claim as a low earner. If you won't be
claiming again once you start work you can ensure we award your EP,
if appropriate, by calling us on 0845 121 2970 or writing to
us.
You may also be able to get an extended payment of
Council Tax Benefit.
Even if you're working you may be entitled to Housing
Benefit
After starting work you may still be entitled to Housing
Benefit, if you, or your partner, are on low income. Remember
you'll need to support your change by providing evidence of income
i.e. pay slips.
Where you've not yet got your first wage from your new
employer you'll need to ask them to provide us with details of your
likely gross earnings, Income Tax and National Insurance deductions
so we can estimate your earnings to calculate your Housing
Benefit entitlement.
When you get your first wage slips you'll need to send them
to us so that we can check details of your actual earnings and
we may have to amend your claim again.