If someone feels that they cannot cope with the responsibility of paying the rent to the landlord each month, it may be possible for us to pay the Local Housing Allowance directly to the landlord. A ‘Request to make payment to landlord’ form will need to be completed giving reasons why you think Local Housing Allowance should be paid to your landlord and we may need to ask for further evidence. To get a copy of this form, please write to:
Housing Benefits
Landmark Place
High Street
Slough SL1 1JL
Also, the council’s Vulnerability Policy & Procedure, which can be found below, will inform you on how we make these decisions to pay the private landlords.
A benefit claim may involve forms, evidence, information, changes in circumstances and /or receiving notification
When somebody is unable to do these things for themselves, due to age, illness, disability or other special needs, they may appoint someone to deal with their claim for them. This person is called the Appointee.
The Appointee can be nominated for a temporary period, for example following an accident or a short-term illness or where the incapacity is on a long-term basis it may be a permanent arrangement.
An Appointee is arranged to help remove the barriers that vulnerable people in the community face when wishing to claim housing benefit and council tax benefit.
It enables them to have an equal opportunity to claim the benefit that they are entitled to.
There are three groups of people who can be Appointees:
In all cases the council benefits department makes the final decision on who to appoint as the claimant’s Appointee, taking into account all of the circumstances affecting the claimant.
The Appointee carries out all duties involved in managing the benefit claim including:
Ideally the benefit claimant is able to complete a written authority giving details of the person they wish to act as their Appointee, with both the claimant and the Appointee consenting to the arrangement.
In some cases the claimant may not be able to complete a written authority. Where this is the case they may already have a representative that has been appointed by the Court or under the Power of Attorney Act.
That representative can supply proof of this to the council with a written request for Appointee status for the housing benefit and /or council tax benefit claim.
If the claimant is unable to complete a written authority and there is no legal representative already appointed to deal with their affairs, then a friend or relative of the claimant can make a written request to the council to become their benefits Appointee.
It is important that full details of both the Appointee and the claimant are provided, the council may make a visit to the claimant to confirm their circumstances and that the Appointee arrangement is suitable.
The council do need to be satisfied that the arrangement is beneficial to the claimant and that the Appointee is able to take on the responsibility.
An Appointee may cancel the arrangement by giving notice in writing to the council.
The council may also cancel the arrangement by giving notice in writing.
If the Courts or Secretary of State subsequently appoints a different representative, to manage the claimants’ affairs then this person may request that they replace the existing housing benefit / council tax benefit Appointee.
It is important that the council is informed straight away if any information that is put on a claim form for housing benefit and /or council tax benefit changes.
It is also important to note that the Department of Work and Pensions and the council are two completely separate bodies and you will need to let both agencies know if your details change.
It is vital that you inform both agencies of any changes as a failure to notify us of a change in circumstances may mean having to repay the council any extra benefit you received after the change happened.
For all enquiries please contact the Customer Service Centre
01753 475111
My Council
Landmark Place
High Street
Slough
opposite Slough Library
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