Housing Benefits

This page tells you how to Claim Housing Benefit, It also gives advice on how we can help you to ensure that your claims are processed more efficiently and also gives information on obtaining benefit advice

Housing Benefit is a means-tested benefit which is paid to people who pay rent for their home. They may have a low income or receive Job Seeker's Allowance, or Income Support.

To find out more about who can and can not claim Housing Benefits and Council Tax Benefits go to Housing Benefits website and CouncilTax Benefit website

To find out how to contact your local Jobcentre Plus, go to Employment website if you are getting Jobseeker’s Allowance, or you are a lone parent on Income Support and looking for work, you will also find the telephone number on the Into Work leaflet you receive at your Work-focused interview.

You can submit your claim up to 13 weeks before you become entitled to Housing Benefit, but you will not normally receive any money before you move in.

Many people think only the unemployed can claim. You can claim if you are working, receiving benefits, self-employed or a pensioner. To find out more about benefits and help when going back to work go to Working Benefits website

For support and advice to help you get back to work, visit Back to Work website.

Benefits calculators

To find out what benefits you may be entitled to, please use our benefits calculator tool.

There is also the Benefits Adviser tool on the Benefits advisor website - an online questionnaire to help you find out which benefits and tax credits you and your family may be entitled to and whether you are entitled to the State Pension. You can find details of local Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) offices on the DWP website.

Verification Framework Scheme
Merton Priory Homes has set up a scheme with the London Borough of Merton under which we are authorised to accept, check and carry out the necessary verification of evidence in support of your benefit claim for Housing and Council Tax Benefit. This includes new claims and changes of circumstance and should enable your benefit claims to be processed more efficiently. It also allows you to make the choice as to whether to take your claim to the London Borough of Merton or this office. I hope the following information may answer some of your questions regarding the scheme.

What is the Verification Framework?
The Verification Framework (VF) is a scheme that was designed by the government and introduced by the London Borough of Merton to ensure that people claiming Housing and Council Tax Benefit receive their correct entitlement to benefit due to them by setting out details of evidence and checks that are necessary.

Why is there a RSL Verification Framework Scheme?
Due to the Verification Framework requirements, delays can be caused in the processing of Housing and Council Tax Benefit that can result in rental arrears. The scheme is aimed at ensuring the benefit claims are received fully completed by the London Borough of Merton which can lead to a speeding up of the process and reduced rental arrears. The scheme is voluntary for all tenants and allows you to make the choice between continuing to deal with the London Borough of Merton or coming to this office for assistance with the completion of, as well as the checking and verifying of Housing and Council Tax Benefit claim forms.

What should I do if I want to use the scheme?
You should complete the attached Consent Form (1.6 MB)sign it and return it to Merton Priory Homes or to the London Borough of Merton. You must read both pages of the form before signing it. This form allows us, your landlord, to examine your Housing Benefit application and other supporting documents to speed up the claim process. You can withdraw this consent at any time.

What will Merton Priory Homes do?
We will collect any information required for your claim; verify that the documents seen are sufficient and if not request further information from you and then pass your claim to Merton benefits Service.

Will the London Borough of Merton still have access to my Housing Benefit Claim?
The London Borough of Merton will still process your claim and assess how much benefit you are entitled to receive.

What if I do not want Merton Priory Homes to examine my claim?
The London Borough of Merton is still happy to take your benefit claims. If you do not want this office to deal with and verify your claim you can still submit it by post or through the normal local authority office that you deal with.

We hope you will take advantage of this scheme and allow us to help you with your claim. If you would like any further information regarding the scheme please contact either the London Borough of Merton’s Housing Benefit Office.

Progressing your claim is your responsibility, but our staff can provide advice if you are having problems. You must call us if a problem with your claim could result in you falling into rent arrears

Reporting Changes to Housing Benefits
If you know a change in your circumstances is going to happen in the future please tell Merton Benefits Service before it happens.
You must tell Merton Benefits Service about

changes in your income especially if entitlement to Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance or Pension Credit stops
changes in your savings
changes in the rent you pay
if someone moves into or moves out of your household
if someone in your household goes into hospital
if you start work
if you temporarily leave the property
if you move out
This is not a complete list of every change you must tell Merton Benefits Service about. If you are not sure of whether or not to tell them you must tell them. Usually if you delay telling them of a change you will be worse off.

NEW - Online claim form
The best way to claim HB, CTB or second adult rebate is using Merton Benefits Service easy to use online claim form. This form guides you through the HB and CTB claim process and you only need to answer the questions relevant to you.
Please note Merton Benefits Service no longer issue paper claim forms please either use their online claim form or contact them on 020 8274 4903 and ask for help to claim

Benefits advice home visits and drop-in sessions
If you need help in filling in forms and finding out more information about claiming benefits Merton Council has a Welfare Benefits Team. The Team run a benefits surgery every week at the Council offices. They also work jointly with the Local Pension Service to provide a home visit service to older people or those with limited mobility. See Home Visits and Drop-in Sessions for more details.

Merton Outreach Visiting Team (MOViT)
In the London Borough of Merton, The Local Pension Service and Merton Council are working together so that our customers of all ages can easily access all the benefits and services which they are entitled to. Merton Outreach Visiting Team (MOViT) offers residents of the borough help and advice on the following benefits:

Attendance Allowance
Carers Allowance
Child Tax Credit
Council Tax Benefit
Disability Living Allowance
Employment and Support Allowance*
Housing Benefit and Local Housing Allowance
Incapacity Benefit
Income Support
Pension Credit
Social Fund loans and grants
State Pension
Working Tax Credit

They can also advise on services provided in the Borough of Merton.

Find out more

Please see the Baffled by Benefits MOVIT leaflet (157 KB)for more information about how to contact the welfare benefits team, book an appointment or where the drop-in sessions are.