Additional Benefits Information

If you get benefits and are returning to work you may be eligible for an extra four weeks of Housing and/or Council Tax Reduction. These are known as Extended Payments.

It is paid at the same rate that you were receiving before starting work or increasing your hours. You can get this even if do not normally qualify for help because of your increased income.

You must tell us about this change within 4 weeks of starting work or increasing your hours.

If you delay you may lose your entitlement.

Who can get Extended Payments

Your Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance (income based), Employment Support Allowance or Incapacity Benefit must have stopped because:

• you or your partner are starting work
• you or your partner are going to work more hours
• you or your partner's earnings are going to increase
• your new job or extra hours must be expected to last at least 5 weeks.
• you must get Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance (income based), or Employment Support Allowance or Incapacity Benefit at the time you find work or increase your hours, and for the past 26 weeks (without a break).
• you must pay rent or Council Tax for at least another 5 weeks

Apply for Extended Payments

Contact us at benefits@welhat.gov.uk or n 01707 357 000 to ask about these payments.