Extended benefit payments

Extended benefit payment is a continuation of your housing benefit or council tax benefit (or both) for up to four weeks when you start a new job or increase your working hours.

How much do I get?

You will normally receive the same amount of Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit as you did in the last week before you started work or increased your hours.

How do I claim extended benefit payment?

Just tell us or the Job Centre about your job or increased hours within four weeks of the date you commence work/increase hours etc.

Want to Check if you are still entitled to Housing/ Council Tax Benefit after an Extended Benefit Payment?

You can use our Online Benefits Calculator - Quick Calc to assess if you are entitled to Housing/ Council Tax Benefit.

The Quick Calc tool gives you a predicted estimate.

Who qualifies for the payment?

You qualify for extended benefit payments if:

• You or your partner start working at least 16 hours per week, or increase the hours worked to at least 16 hours per week; and
• This change in working hours is expected to last five weeks or more; and
• Immediately prior to this change, you or your partner has continuously received, for at least 26 weeks:

Income Based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Income Related Employment and Support Allowance/ Severe Disability Allowance.

Sometimes it can be a combination of the benefits noted above, please contact us for further information. Note, the benefit must also be due to end. You must also be:

• Under 60; and
• Still liable to pay rent, Council Tax or both.

Extended Payments and being Self Employed

The conditions noted above generally will still apply.

If you are commencing employment as a self employed earner and the work must be genuine and effective. Please contact us for further information.

Claiming Housing and Council Tax Benefit when the extended payment is due to end or has finished

If your income is low enough, you may still be entitled to claim Housing/ Council Tax Benefit.

Use our online calculator to assess if you are entitled to Housing/ Council Tax Benefit.

If you decide that you want to apply for Housing or Council Tax Benefit, you will need to complete a form and return it to us as soon as possible.

Don't wait until the extended benefit period has finished.

If your claim is not in payment: please complete a new application form

If your claim is in payment: please fill in a Changes of Money form

Once we have received your evidence and application form, we will then assess your entitlement to Housing/Council Tax Benefit based on your circumstances.

Remember it is important to let us know quickly of any changes to your household, income etc.

Page last reviewed 1 Apr 2011