Worthing Borough Council

Payments

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Lines open 9am to 5pm - Monday to Friday
Council Tax and Business Rates: 01903 221061
Housing and Council Tax Benefit: 01903 221062

revsbens@worthing.gov.uk

Once we have received a claim and all the evidence and information we need to calculate benefit we will:

• Reach a decision on the entitlement within 14 days, or as soon as possible after that
• Notify the customer (and in the case of Housing Benefit, his or her landlord if applicable) about the award in writing as soon as the claim is decided
• In the case of Housing Benefit claims, make a payment within 7 days, or as soon as possible after that

Payment of Housing Benefit

When will it be paid?

As soon as the claim is decided we will make a payment of any benefit owing up to, and including, that week.  Following this first payment we will pay benefit in arrears in intervals of either two or four weeks.

Who will we make payment to?

We will normally make payments to the person making the claim.

For new claims and claims due to a change in address that we received before April 2008 from private tenants we will, where requested, make payment direct to the customer’s landlord.  However, for claims from private tenants that have been received after the beginning of April 2008, payment will usually be made directly to the customer - for further information please see the Local Housing Allowance page on the website.

Payments sent to customers will be made two-weekly in arrears.  Payments sent to landlords will be made four-weekly in arrears.

How will benefit be paid?

Housing Benefit payments are issued either by bank transfer (BACS) or by crossed cheque.  We prefer to pay by BACS because not only is this more convenient for the person receving the payments (since they don't have to pay a cheque into their account and then wait for it to clear through the banking system) but it also reduces the chance of delays due to, for example, postal strikes.

If you currently receive payments by cheque but would like to receive them by BACS transfer, please download a BACS form, fill it in and return it to the Benefit Section as soon as possible.

Payment of Council Tax Benefit

Council Tax Benefit is not awarded in the form of a payment, but is credited as a rebate to the customer’s Council Tax account.   This means that the Council Tax bill will be reduced by the amount of the benefit that is awarded and on-going instalments will be reduced accordingly.

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