Housing Benefit prior to moving into a property
Housing Benefit cannot normally be paid on a property until you actually move in.
In certain circumstances, we can pay benefit before you move into your home for a maximum period of four weeks.
The delay in moving into your new home must be reasonable and due to:
- You becoming liable for rent while you were in hospital or residential care. You must not have received Housing Benefit at your previous home, or
- You were waiting for a decision on a Scottish Welfare Fund Payment to meet the costs of moving or setting up your new home (you must have a child aged 5 years or less, or meet the criteria for a disability premium). You must not have received Housing Benefit at your previous home, or
- Your new home is being adapted to meet the disabled needs of you or a member of your family.
If we cannot pay you Housing Benefit prior to moving into your property because you received Housing Benefit at your previous home, it may be possible to award a Discretionary Housing Payment to help meet any shortfall in your rent.
