Microsoft word - direct payment form for thanet aw.doc

Local Housing Allowance
Direct Payment Application Form
Under the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) scheme, Housing Benefit is usually paid direct to the claimant and the claimant will be responsible for paying their rent to the landlord. Under LHA, claimants cannot simply choose to have their benefit paid to their landlord. However, the Council has discretion to pay benefit direct to the landlord if we consider that the claimant is likely to have difficulty managing his/her financial affairs or is unlikely to pay his/her rent. The Council will also pay benefit direct to the landlord if: • it is proved the claimant is 8 weeks or more in arrears of the amount he/she is liable to pay the landlord as rent, except where it is in the overriding interests of the claimant not to make payment to the landlord or • the claimant is having deductions from Income Support/Jobseeker's Allowance to pay off rent If you are the claimant's representative or landlord and believe payments should be made
direct to the landlord because one or more of the above statements apply, please complete this
form and return it to us at the address shown below, together with supporting evidence. The
'Safeguard Guidelines' document gives details of how the application will be dealt with. You can
download a copy of this from the Thanet District Council's webpage on www.thanet.gov.uk/benefit or
ring our Revenues & Benefits Service on 01843 577552 to request a paper copy.
Please note: if you are the claimant, do not complete this form. Simply phone our
Revenues & Benefits Service Team on 01843 577552. They will arrange for you to see
one of our benefits officers.
Email: Benefits@thanet.gov.uk Fax: 01843 577532 If there are any boxes that aren't relevant to you or you don't know the answer to, please write
'not relevant' or 'don't know' as applicable.
Claimant's full name and address:
Your name and relationship to the claimant (e.g. mother, friend, social worker, doctor,
landlord etc.):
Your address, telephone number and email address:
Reason(s) why you consider payments should be made to the landlord
(Please provide all relevant details):
If rent arrears have accrued − what amount is outstanding and what period
does this cover?
Has the claimant had previous problems maintaining rent payments?
(Please provide details)
Has the claimant received help from a welfare or advice agency e.g. Citizens
Advice Bureau?
(Please provide details)
Is the claimant having deductions made from their income to repay other
debts? (Please provide details)
How long do you think payments need to be made to the claimant's
landlord?
If you believe this should be a continuous arrangement, please give your
reasons:
10. Declaration
ƒ The information given is true and correct ƒ I believe it to be in the best interest of the claimant to make payments direct to I have read and understood the declaration:
Representative's or landlord's
Representative's or landlord's name:
signature:
It is most important that you now tick (9) overleaf to show which items of
evidence you are providing in support of this application and ensure that
you supply it.
Safeguard Grounds
Suitable sources of Evidence
Learning disabilities
Medical conditions
Cannot read or speak English
Letter from support organisation stating that arrears/debts have occurred as a result of not Addiction to drugs, alcohol or
gambling
Claimant has experienced recent
changes that has meant they need
additional support in managing their
financial affairs
Severe debt problems
Tenant has history of homelessness
Letter from Council's housing advice officer or homelessness team Letter from advice/welfare agency Rent arrears
Letter from landlord showing full details of Housing Benefit - BACS Payments
To have your Housing Benefit paid direct to your bank or building society account by BACS transfer, please fill in this form. Your full name
Your address and postcode
Are you a: Landlord? F Tenant? F
Name of your Bank or Building Society
Address of your Bank or Building Society
What name is the account in?
Bank Sort Code
Bank account number
Building Society Sort Code
Building Society account number
Signed: _____________________________________
Date: _____________________
Unfortunately, we are not able to pay into some accounts, such as Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), Post Office Card Accounts and some Savings Accounts. If you are not sure about the account you want to use, please ask your bank or building society. If you would like to receive your benefit notifications (all customers), and your payments schedules (if you are a landlord), by e-mail, please provide a valid e-mail address below. Please return this form to:
Revenues & Benefits Service Thanet District Council PO Box 9, Cecil Street Margate Kent CT9 1XZ

Source: http://www.thanet.gov.uk/PDF/BenefitsDirectpayment%20form_Mar09.pdf