What is housing benefit?

Housing Benefit is paid by your local authority and is a contribution towards your rent payments. Housing Benefit is available for people that have an income below a certain level.

Can I claim housing benefit?

If you are over 16 years of age and are living in a rented property, you may be able to claim for help with your rent.

How much will I receive each week?

The amount of Housing Benefit you are entitled to depends on your income, rent and savings. It also depends of whether other people are living with you in the property (i.e. partners and children).

How do apply for housing benefit?

You should contact your local authority Housing Benefit office and request an application form. Irwell Valley can also send you a form, contact 0800 035 22 11 for more information.

Can you help me complete the form?

Yes, if you are having difficulty completing the application form, please contact our Legal Services team on 0800 035 22 11. Alternatively, you can also visit your local Housing Benefit office and they will be happy to help - see below for list.

How will my Housing Benefit be paid?

We would advise you to have your benefit entitlement paid directly to Irwell Valley. We can then monitor your payments and inform you as soon as your Housing Benefit stops or is reduced.

What should I do if my situation changes?

You must inform your local authority immediately. If you fail to disclose any changes in your circumstances you may be liable for repayment of any Housing Benefit you received or was sent directly to us.

 

You should also advise your landlord, you can ring and request a change in circumstances form from the Legal Services Department on 0800 035 2211

Can I still apply for Gold Service?

Yes, all our customers are entitled to become a member of Gold Service if they have a clear rent account or if they are making payments to reduce any outstanding arrears.

If you are no longer entitled to Housing Benefit, your Gold Service membership will be suspended until payments recommence, but we will backdate your membership if there is no break in your payments. You can contact our Gold Service Administrator on 0161 610 4796 if you have any queries.

Housing Benefit arrears

If your rent account is in arrears because of a delay in your local authority processing your claim for benefit, it is your responsibility to contact them and pursue your claim. You must also notify our Legal Services team on 0800 035 22 11 if you are experiencing problems with your Housing Benefit claim.

Contacting your local Housing Benefit office

Listed below are local Housing Benefit offices covering the areas where Irwell Valley has homes.

Pendle Council
Benefit Section

Treasury Service
Elliot House
9 Market Square
Nelson
Tel: 01828 661 800/82

Bury Metropolitan Borough Council
Housing Benefit Department
7 Whittaker Street
Radcliffe
Manchester
Tel: 0161 253 5008

Rossendale Borough Council
PO Box 40
Rawtenstall
Tel: 01706 217777

Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council
Finance Department
Town Hall
Bolton
Tel: 01204 331590/59076

Salford City Council
Housing Benefit Department
Civic Centre
Chorley Road
Swinton
Tel: 0161 793 3399

Trafford Borough Council
PO Box 65
Sale
Manchester
Tel: 0161 912 2220

Manchester City Council
Town Hall
Albert Square
MANCHESTER
M60 2LA

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
Rent Allowance
PO Box 70
Stockport
Tel: 0161 474 5155

Tameside Council
Housing Benefit Office
Wellington Road
Ashton Under Lyne
Tel: 0161 342 3708