Direct Payment of Housing Benefit
What is Direct Payment?
Direct Payment is the way state pensions and benefits, including Housing Benefit, are being paid.
Basically, your Housing Benefit will be paid straight into your bank or building society account.
This will not affect how much Housing Benefit you receive.
It is a faster and safer way to pay Housing Benefit.
We will tell you the exact date the payment will be in your bank account.
This is important in ensuring rent is paid on time.
I have already got a bank account – what should I do?
Make sure that your account can receive direct payment from the Council by asking at your local branch.
Complete the direct payment form in part 16 of the claim form, or click here to download a copy of the form, and return it to us.
I do not have a bank account – what should I do?
Open an account with a bank of your choice. You will need to provide proof of your identity and address, for example by:
- Passport
- Utility Bill (Gas, Electric, Water, etc)
How do I get hold of my money?
You can get your money from cash machines anywhere, 24 hours a day or over the counter at some branches. Most basic bank accounts also allow you to draw money from the post office.
I have been refused a bank account in the past – what should I do?
Ask at a bank of your choice for details of how you can open a basic bank account with them.
Since October 2000, the Government has said that banks need to make basic bank accounts available to everyone, including those with poor credit records.
Most banks now have accounts that are available to almost everyone and getting a bank account is easy and makes managing your finances easy too.
Where can I get more help to find out which banks offer basic bank accounts?
Ask for a copy of the Financial Services Authority leaflet entitled ‘Basic bank accounts – your questions answered’ from the Benefits Section.
Do you need further information?
Should you need more information you can contact the Benefits Section in the following ways:
By calling in to Lancaster or Morecambe Town Halls Monday to Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
By writing to:
The Benefits Section
Revenue Services
P O Box 4
Lancaster
LA1 1QR
By telephoning: (01524) 582965 Monday to Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
By Fax: (01524) 582260
Via Typetalk 18001 01524 582965
By E-mail: benefits@lancaster.gov.uk
Or you can visit our Website: www.lancaster.gov.uk
Alternatively, you can contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau (click here to be taken to the Citizens Advice Bureau Web site).