Two homes

You normally can only claim benefit for one property at a time however there are exceptions to this rule as below:

Moving home
If you are moving from one home to another but there is an overlap between the end of your old tenancy and the start of your new tenancy, it may be possible to get housing benefit paid for both homes for up to four weeks.

You will have to show that you could not avoid having an overlap between the tenancies. For example, you had to accept the tenancy at your new home immediately but you still had to give notice to end your original tenancy.

Waiting for adaptations to be done
If you can't move into your new home until adaptations have been carried out because you, or someone you live with, is disabled, you can have housing benefit paid for up to four weeks before you move in. If you have a home already, you can continue to receive housing benefit for your old home.

Leaving home because of fear of violence
If you have left your home because of fear of abuse or violence you can get housing benefit for your old home and the home you are staying in now for up to one year, so long as you intend to return to your old home.

You could be afraid of violence from someone who lived in your old home or a former family member. It also includes fear of violence from your neighbours or fear of racial attacks on your home.

Your family is too big for one home
If a housing authority has placed your family in two homes because they could not provide you with a home big enough for your whole family, you can get housing benefit for both homes for as long as it is necessary for you to live in two homes.

Housing benefit on two homes is not given automatically. You will need to write a letter or make a statement that includes the following: