How is Housing Benefit paid?

In most cases payment of Housing Benefit (HB) will be paid direct to the claimant’s bank/building society account. These HB payments will normally be paid 2 weekly in arrears.

You can't normally choose to have your HB paid directly to your landlord but we can in certain circumstances (for example if you're likely to have difficulty paying your rent due to personal circumstances). If we agree to pay your HB to your landlord the HB will be paid 4 weekly in arrears.

It's your responsibility to pay rent to your landlord; if you don't pay your rent, your landlord may start eviction proceedings.