Rent allowance and temporary move

[Tomorrow]

Hi all

I have a query on behalf of a tenant of mine. She is receiving rent allowance at the moment. She is originally from down the country and needs to move temporarily due to family reasons. (She will be staying with family)

She does not wish to give up the house, it would mean putting all belongings into storage and then having to look for alternative accomodation when she returns.

As she is receiving the single mothers payment, she will be letting welfare know that she is moving so she can pick up her payment down the country.

Is there anyway social welfare would allow her to keep the house, and continue to pay rent allowance even though shes not there.

I am guessing not and in fact I have already advertised the house, but I did tell her I would look into it for her.

Many thanks

 

[gipimann]

The only times when rent supplement can be paid when the tenant is not actually in the accommodation is for temporary hospital stays or imprisonment (both subject to a 13 week limit).

I'm not aware of any other exceptions, however, if the move home was very short-term (say 4 weeks or so), it might be allowed as an individual case. Your tenant should discuss the matter with her CWO.