Housing Benefit Section

The Housing Benefit Section is responsible for the administration of Housing and Council Tax Benefit and Second Adult Rebate. These benefits are available to people on a low income to help them pay their Rent and Council Tax.

Housing Benefit has changed

From January 2012 a further change will be introduced to the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) scheme. This change will lower the levels of LHA we pay in Darlington:

  • the age limit for the Shared Accommodation Rate for single people living in privately rented accommodation will be raised to 35.

Housing Benefit changes from January 2012 [pdf document]

From April 2011 a number of changes were introduced to the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) scheme.

The majority of Housing Benefit (HB) customers who are assessed under LHA arrangements will see a reduction in the amount of benefit they receive.
There were three changes introduced that will lower the levels of LHA we pay in Darlington:

  • the removal of the £15.00 top up
  • the setting of LHA rates at the 30th percentile
  • the removal of the 5 bedroom LHA rate

Customers affected by the last two changes will be given some transitional protection.

Housing Benefit Changes April 2011 [pdf document].

Non Dependant Deductions from April 2011 [pdf document].

Additional Room for a Non-Resident Carer [pdf document]

Opening times and contact details

Monday - Wednesday: 8.30 am - 5.00 pm

Thursday: 9.30am - 5.00pm

Friday: 8.30 am - 4.30 pm

01325 388514

Fax - 01325 388374

Housing Benefits, Darlington Borough Council, Town Hall, Darlington.  DL1 5QT

HBEnquiries@darlington.gov.uk

View our performance standards

If you have difficulty visiting our office, for example if you have a physical impairment, we may be able to make other arrangements. Please contact us to ask about this, you can do this either by telephone or email.

Housing Benefit Investigations

Securing the system against fraud and abuse is vital to our service.  If you have information about anyone who may be committing fraud, you can telephone 01325 388517 and speak to us in confidence.

Protecting your Personal Information

Please note in order to protect you from unauthorised access to your personal information and to comply with the Council's legal obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998, we require authorisation from you before any information is disclosed to a third party, requesting information on your behalf.

Access to Personal Information

Welfare Rights

Every year millions of pounds of Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits go unclaimed including Housing and Council Tax Benefit.  You may be entitled to more money than you are currently receiving.  For further advice contact Welfare Rights.