Can I Receive Housing Benefit on Two Homes?

Normally Housing Benefit can only be paid on the home in which you are living. However, in some cases Housing Benefit can be paid on two homes. This is known as “overlapping benefit”.

How long is overlapping benefit paid for?

Overlapping benefit can only be paid for a maximum period of four weeks.

Will overlapping benefit always be paid?

No, we have to be satisfied that you have occupied the new home and that payment on two homes was unavoidable.

What is meant by occupied?

You must have moved yourself, your family and possessions into the new home.

What is meant by unavoidable?

This will change from case to case but the following examples may help to explain.

We are likely to accept that payment on two homes was unavoidable if:

• you needed to move quickly to get a more suitably sized home
• a disabled person needs to move quickly to get ground floor accommodation.

We are unlikely to accept that payment on two homes was unavoidable if:

• you simply failed to give notice to the former landlord
• you could have planned a move in advance but failed to do so

I have moved back to my parents’ home (or into a residential home) but need to give my landlord 4 weeks notice. Can I get Housing Benefit for those four weeks?

Yes, providing you satisfy all the other conditions of entitlement and no other tenant takes up occupation of the address you are leaving within the period of your 4 weeks notice.

I am waiting for a Social Fund loan before I move. Can I get overlapping benefit?

No, overlapping benefit can only be paid once you have moved and only then if payment on both dwellings was unavoidable.

How do I claim overlapping Housing Benefit?

You should contact the office handling your Housing Benefit claim. You will be asked to provide evidence to support your claim, for example, letters from your old and new landlords.