Renfrewshire Council

How you are paid Housing Benefit

When we start paying your Housing Benefit, how you are paid Housing Benefit, if we stop paying your Housing Benefit.

When we start paying your Housing Benefit

We usually start paying Housing Benefit from the Monday after the day we receive your claim.


How you are paid Housing Benefit

If you are a council tenant, we pay Housing Benefit directly into your rent account. This reduces the amount of rent you have to pay.

If you're a private tenant or a Housing Association tenant, we'll pay your Housing Benefit directly into your bank account.

Housing Benefit is paid at the end of each 4 weekly period.


If we stop paying your Housing Benefit

We will continue to pay you Housing Benefit unless there are specific circumstances such as:

  • you are 8 or more weeks behind in your rent
  • we think you will have difficulty managing your finances
  • we think that you will not pay your rent.

You must let us know if your circumstances change while you get Housing Benefit, to prevent you from receiving the wrong amount from us.

If you do not tell us about changes when you are receiving benefits or money from the Council, it could be considered fraud.

If you need advice about paying your rent, or other money issues, our can help.