This depends on which benefits you qualify for and what you asked for on your claim form.
If you are entitled to Council Tax Benefit, we will credit your benefit to your council tax account and send you a new bill.
If you are entitled to Housing Benefit and live in Council owned accommodation, we will credit your benefit to your rent account.
If you are entitled to Housing Benefit and live in privately rented accommodation, we will pay either you or your landlord depending on what you asked us to do on your claim form. However if you are in rent arrears by the equivalent of 8 weeks rent, or more, we must pay your landlord.
We can pay either you or your landlord by cheque or through the BACS system, which sends the payment direct into your bank account.
Also, if you live in privately rented accommodation we will pay your benefit in arrears. If it is paid to you it will be paid two weeks in arrears. If it is paid to you landlord it will be paid four weeks in arrears.
The information on this page is for guidance only and is not a full definition of the law.
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