Can I get Housing Benefit if I have a job?

Yes, if you have a low income you may be able to get Housing Benefit. The amount you can get depends on your income, including earnings, and your family circumstances.

Are all of my earnings taken into account?

No, we will not include tax, National Insurance or half of any pension contributions. We will also ignore between £5 and £25 (depending on your circumstances) of your earnings each week.

What about childcare costs?

We can allow for childcare costs. The payments must be made to a registered childminder or day nursery. The payments must be for a child aged no more than 15 (or 16 if the child has a disability).

You must also work at least 16 hours each week and be one of the following:

• a lone parent

• have a partner who is also working

• have a partner who is unable to work

We can allow for up to £135 a week of your earnings for one child of the qualifying age, or up to £200 if you pay these charges for 2 or more children.

I will have other costs when I am at work can these be allowed?

No, we cannot allow for additional costs, for example, travel to work or meals.

How soon will my claim for Housing Benefit be assessed?

We give priority to claims from people starting work. We normally take no longer than 14 days to process your claim once we have all the necessary information.

Is there any extra help during the first few weeks of work?

Yes, you may be able to get an Extended Payment.  You will get an Extended Payment if you or your partner:

• start working full-time, or

• increased your hours of work, or

• increased your earnings

and

• are working at least 16 hours per week and expect to do so for at least 5 weeks, and

• were entitled to Income Support or Income Based Job Seekers Allowance,  Employment Support Allowance (Income Related) (from 27th October 2008), Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA) continuously for 26 weeks, and this ceased

• were receiving Housing Benefit before starting work and you still have rent to pay after starting work

How can I be awarded an extended payment?

From October 2008 you no longer need to make a claim for an extended payment. The Housing Executive will consider whether you are entitled to an extended payment when you start work. You must notify the Housing Executive and the Social Security Agency that you have started work within 4 weeks of doing so. The Housing Executive will then decide if you are entitled to an extended payment. You can still claim Housing Benefit while you are working. The amount of Housing Benefit you can get will depend on your income, including earnings, and your family circumstances.

Remember, you must always tell us if you start work even if you have already told the Social Security Agency.