Housing benefit will be paid directly into your bank account if you do not have a bank account we can provide details on how to open one or we can advise you on how else we can make payments.
If you rent your property from a Housing Association, you can choose if you want your housing benefit paid to you or your landlord. You must indicate this on the application form in the relevant place.
If you ask for your benefit to be paid to you, we may ask you to provide proof that your rent is paid up to date but this will depend on how long you have had the tenancy.
If you rent your property from a private landlord, please see “Local Housing Allowance” as the rules for paying housing benefit are different to the above.