Extended payment of Housing Benefit/Rate Relief
When you start a job, work more hours or earn more money, some of your benefits may stop. To help you pay rent and rates, you might get an extended payment of Housing Benefit, Rate Relief or both. This payment can last up to four weeks.
Who is eligible
You don't have to claim an Extended Payment of Housing Benefit/Rate Relief if you or your partner (and they remain your partner throughout the claim):
- return to work full-time
- work more hours
- earn more money for at least five weeks
and stopped getting one of these benefits:
- Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or a combination of these benefits continuously for at least 26 weeks
- income related Employment and Support Allowance continuously for 26 weeks
Extended payment for a tenant
If you're a tenant, the Housing Executive will decide if you can get an Extended Payment of Housing Benefit/Rate Relief. They'll check how long you have been getting the benefits.
Extended payment for a homeowner
If you're a homeowner, Land & Property Services assesses if you're entitled to an extended payment of Housing Benefit/Rate Relief. They'll review how long you've been getting help to pay your rates.
You should tell LPS about changes, such as starting work or increasing your hours.
How much you will get
Normally you'll get the same amount of Housing Benefit/Rate Relief as you did before.
How you'll get the payment
Extended Payment is paid the same way as your Housing Benefit/Rate Relief.
Extended Payment when you're working
If you are going back to work and are a tenant, the Housing Executive will also decide if you can get in-work Housing Benefit/Rate Relief.
How to appeal
If you are refused Housing Benefit/Rate Relief, the Extended Payment or in-work Housing Benefit/Rate Relief, you can ask the Housing Executive (if you're a tenant) or Land & Property Services (if you're a homeowner) to look again at their decision.
If you’re still unhappy with the outcome, you can appeal.