Local Housing Allowance - Payments

In most cases payment of the LHA will be made direct to the tenant and it will be the tenants responsibility to pay the rent to the landlord.

How will I be paid?

Payments will be paid directly into your bank account every 4 weeks. If you do not have a bank account or would like advice on how to open one there are organisations who can help. These include:

These organisations can also help with debt advice and managing your money in general.

You may want to speak to your landlord about how they would prefer to be paid. This could include setting up a standing order direct to your landlords bank account.

What happens if you don't pay your rent?

Your landlord can ask the courts to evict you from your home.

Eviction means that:

  • you will lose your home
  • you may have difficulty finding new accommodation as your landlord might not give you a reference
  • you will still have to pay the landlord the money you owe and possibly more to cover court costs
  • an application for rehousing could be affected as you may be considered to have made yourself intentionally homeless

Can we pay your landlord?

Whilst operating the scheme we recognise that there are circumstances where it may not be appropriate to pay the tenant. These include:

  • where the tenant has 8 weeks rent arrears or more,
  • the tenant is having deductions being taken from their Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (Income based), Employment and Support Allowance to pay off rent arrears,
  • where the tenant is 'unlikely to pay',
  • where the tenant is 'unable to manage their affairs'

For more information, please look at our policy notes below

If you would like us to consider making payments to your landlord, complete and return the form below:

Evidence will need to be provided to support your application as payments will only be made to the landlord if there is good cause.

The evidence guide outlines examples of what can be provided as proof to back up your application. Each case is looked at individually and any decisions to make landlord payments will be subject to review.

Contact Details

Benefits
E-mail benefits@wigan.gov.uk
Opening Hours Telephone: Monday to Friday 8.00 to 18.00, Saturday 8.00 to 12.30. Reception: Monday to Friday 8.45 to 16.30
Phone Number 01942 828644
Textphone (Minicom) 01942 828725
Fax 01942 828613
Facilities Disabled Access,  Disabled Parking,  Disabled Toilets,  Parking, 
Address Council Tax Offices, Moore Street East, Wigan, WN1 3XN
Location

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