Doncaster Council

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit - Flood-related information

1) Am I still entitled to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit whilst I am absent from my home?
We will continue to pay your Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit as long as you are still being charged rent and council tax for your home and:

• You intend to return to live in the property; and
• The property is not let to anyone else whilst you are absent; and
• The period of absence is not going to last more than 13 weeks.

In some situations we can pay benefit if you are absent for longer than 13 weeks, for example, if essential repairs are needed on the property before you can return to live there.  Please contact us for more details about this.

Please tell us as soon as possible when you left your property and when you return to live there. 

2) What if I return home to live but then have to leave again?
When you leave again, as long as you continue to satisfy the rules in 1 above, we can pay Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit for another period of absence.

3) What if I get somewhere else to live temporarily and I am charged rent there?
Normally, we can only pay benefit for one property. If you have to move to temporary accommodation because your main home needs essential repairs, we will pay Housing Benefit for whichever property you are charged rent for.

If you are charged rent on both properties, we can only pay Housing Benefit for the property you normally occupy as your home.

If you have a mortgage on your normal home and have to pay rent for temporary accommodation, we cannot pay you any Housing Benefit. 
 
4) What if I cannot afford the rent and Council Tax at a new property?
If we pay benefit to you at your new address and there is a shortfall between your rent and Council Tax and your benefit, you can apply for ‘Discretionary Housing Payments’. Please contact us for more information about these payments.

5) If I stay with friends or relatives temporarily, will my stay affect their Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit?
If you have a permanent home elsewhere and you intend to return to your normal home, your stay at their property will not affect their Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

6) If I receive money from a disaster fund or an emergency payment from the Department for Work and Pensions, will the payment affect my Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit?These payments are not counted as income or capital so will not affect your Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

7) What if my circumstances change whilst I am absent from my normal home?
You must continue to tell us about any changes in your circumstances. You can now phone us to report a change.