Housing Payments Policy

The Revenues and Benefits Service is committed to working with social landlords, the voluntary sector and other interested parties in the borough to maximise entitlement to all available state benefits. This will be reflected in the administration of the Housing Payment scheme.

The Revenues and Benefits Service will consider each case strictly on its own merits and will treat all customers equally and fairly; and through the operation of this policy will seek to:

• Alleviate poverty.
• Encourage and sustain customers in employment.
• Safeguard residents in their homes.
• Ensure tenancy sustainment and homelessness prevention.
• Help those who are trying to help themselves.
• Keep families living together.
• Help customers through personal crises and difficult events.
• Support the vulnerable or elderly in the local community.
• Consider rent officer restrictions such as local reference rent or shared room rate and take into account the impact of the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) changes and in particular the affect on those aged between 25 and 35.
• Consider the impact of non-dependant deductions.
• Consider the impact of income tapers.
• Promote good educational outcomes for children and young people.
• Support the families of armed forces personnel.
• Consider the impact on families of the benefit cap.

• Housing Payment Policy

• Policies, strategies and reviews
• Apply for a Housing Payment

• Contact Revenues and Benefits Service