Can I Get Benefit On Two Homes Or My Next Home?

Can I get benefit on two homes?

Housing and Council Tax benefit can only be paid on the property that you are living in. However you might be able to get benefit on two homes in the following situations:

• If you are temporarily living somewhere else because of violence or fear of violence.   You may be able to get help for up to 52 weeks if you intend to return to your original home
• If you have moved into a new home and you are still liable to pay rent on your previous property, you may be able to get benefit for both properties for up to 4 weeks if the situation is unavoidable

Can I get benefit before I move in to a new home?

You cannot normally get Housing Benefit until you move in, even if you have to pay rent before you move in. However you might be able to get benefit for up to 4 weeks before you move in if the following applies:

• If you could not move in because you were waiting for a Social Fund claim to be dealt with and you have a child under 5, or you are a pensioner or you receive a disability income
• You were in hospital, a nursing home or residential care when you started renting the property and you were not liable to make payments on any other property
• If you cannot move into your new home until changes are made to meet the disability needs of someone in your family