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Contact the Money Matters team using the online enquiry form.
Housing benefit is usually only paid for the home in which you are living and paying rent. There are some circumstances in which you may be able to get help for two homes, for example:
- You have moved into other rented accommodation due to fear of violence
- You are a student or trainee, one of a couple, and have to live in separate rented accommodation because of your course or work.
- You have a large family and the Council has housed you in two separate properties
- You have moved to a new home which you have to pay rent for but you must still pay rent for your old home
If you think that any of these may apply to you, further details are given below.
Fear of violence
Where you have left your former home and remain absent due to fear of violence occurring either in your home by another person or outside your home by a former member of your family, benefit may be paid.
In all cases, we must consider if it is reasonable to do so and benefit may be paid for a maximum of 52 weeks. For benefit to be paid, you must intend to return to and live in the home you left.
Students or Trainees
Couples who are living in separate rented accommodation may receive benefit for both properties.
We must consider that separate accommodation is unavoidable and it is reasonable to pay benefit on both homes. There is no time limit on this provision.
Large Families
If you have a large family and the council has housed you in two separate dwellings because your household is too large for them to place you in one home, benefit may be paid on both properties. To qualify, both properties must be public housing whether or not provided directly by the council and should be adjacent to each other. There is no time limit for this provision.
Unavoidable Overlapping Benefit
If you have moved to a new home which you rent and you still have to pay rent for your old home, help may be available. If the situation is unavoidable, e.g. you were offered a new home to rent but were unable to give your landlord the notice he required, benefit may be paid for up to 4 weeks on your old home. For this to be considered, you must have moved into your new home.
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