Extended payments

You may be able to receive an extended payment if you've been in receipt of income support, jobseekers allowance, employment and support allowance, incapacity benefit or severe disablement allowance for at least 26 weeks and this has stopped because:

  • You or your partner have started work
  • You or your partner have received an increase in pay
  • You or your partner have received an increase in the hours you work

This means that your housing benefit and council tax benefit may continue for an extra four weeks as if you were still receiving the above benefits. However, if you'd qualify for more benefit under your new circumstances, you'll receive an extra four weeks benefit at your new amount. The extended payment can still be made even if you move to another address to start work.

How do I qualify for an extended payment?

The main criteria for receipt of an extended payment are:

  • That the job must be expected to last for five weeks or longer

AND

You or your partner must have been in continuous receipt of one of the following:

  • Income support

  • Jobseekers allowance - at the date your employment changes or starts this must be income-based jobseekers allowance (not contribution-based)

  • Employment and support allowance - at the date your employment changes or starts this must be income-related employment and support allowance (not contribution-based)

  • Incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance or employment and support allowance (contribution-based) continuously for 26 weeks before you start work

...or a combination of any of these benefits (providing there has been no break between claims).

How do I claim for an extended payment?

You don't have to make a claim for an extended payment. When you tell us you've started work, increased your wages or the hours you work, we'll automatically look to see if you qualify.

What happens if I no longer have to pay rent during my extended payment period?

Your extended payment will stop when your liability to pay rent and council tax stops.

What happens if my extended payment period includes some rent-free weeks?

As with any normal housing benefit award, we don't pay benefit to you during your rent-free weeks.

What happens after my extended payment comes to an end, or if you can't give me an extended payment?

You may still be able to get housing benefit and council tax support based on your new income details. We'll need to know full details of your new income, and you'll need to provide proof of yours and your partner’s earnings, benefits and capital.

What happens if I have a change in circumstances during my extended payment period?

If you'd get less benefit based on your new circumstances, your extended payment will remain in payment at its current rate. If you'd get more money based on your new circumstances, your extended payment would be increased as normal.

As with any change to your circumstances you should let us know immediately and let us decide how it affects your entitlement.