Payment of Housing Benefit

Payment of Housing Benefit will depend on the type of tenancy you have.

• If you are a Sandwell Homes or Riverside tenant your benefit will go directly to them.
• If you are a Housing Association tenant your benefit can go either directly to them or to yourself.
• If you are a private tenant whose claim started before 7 April 2008 your benefit can go either to you or your landlord.
• If you are a private tenant  and your claim started on or after 7 April 2008 your claim will be based on local housing allowance. This is always paid directly to you (to a bank, building society or credit union account) unless special circumstances apply. Please note payment cannot be made into a post office account.  

Don't have a bank account?

You may wish to consider opening an account with a credit union - an informal bank owned by its members which offers a range of financial services to people who might have difficulty getting these from high street banks.

For further information see Sandwell's 6 Towns Credit Union.

Need help?

If you require any further information on how to claim please contact us.