How long an award lasts

• An award of housing benefit lasts indefinitely - though the local authority is likely to check on the claimant's details from time to time. In other words, an award continues until the claimant:ceases to be entitled (for example, s/he inherits a large amount of capital) orfails to respond to a check on her/his circumstances. In this case, the local authority first suspends the claimant's award, warning the claimant in writing that unless s/he responds, her/his housing benefit will stop altogether [1]

• becomes entitled to universal credit (see below).

Where a change in circumstances ends a claimant's entitlement, her/his housing benefit award will continue until the end of the benefit week in which the changed occurred (unless s/he is entitled to extended payments). [2]

There is an exception to this rule for all tenancies with a daily rent liability, including those in hostels [3] and certain other accommodation provided by a local authority under its statutory duties to a homeless person. [4] For such claims, the effective date is the day the change actually occurs, so residents only receive housing benefit for the exact days for which payments are due.

Where an applicant currently claiming housing benefit makes a successful claim for universal credit (UC), s/he will continue to receive housing benefit for two weeks after becoming entitled to UC. [5] Until migration of existing housing benefit claims begins, this is likely to be because of a change of circumstances. This will not apply where the applicant is in temporary accommodation or specified accommodation, as these claimants will continue to receive housing benefit in any case (see payment condition). [6] The Government has issued a housing benefit bulletin, which gives answers to frequently asked questions about this overlapping entitlement. [7]