Entitlement dates

Housing Benefit will normally start on the Monday following the date an application form is received by the Council or the The Job Centre. This will apply even if the application form is received on a Monday.

If entitlement to Benefit ceases following a change in your tenants' circumstances, it will normally be paid up to and including the Sunday following the date that the change occurred.

An important exception to this is when they move out of their accommodation, in this instance they will normally be paid up to and including the Sunday before they move out (if the rent is expressed as a weekly charge).

If the rent is expressed as a monthly or daily charge they will normally be paid up to and including the day before they move out.

You will appreciate the importance of the date a claim is received by the Benefits Office and therefore the advice given by the Council is "Don't delay - apply today."


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 01228 817000

Carlisle City Council
Civic Centre, Carlisle, Cumbria,
CA3 8QG