Extended payments

Extended payments are also called the 'four week run-on'

Extended payments (or extended reductions for Council Tax Support) can help by giving an extra four weeks Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support when other benefits stop - because you're going back to work, working more hours or earning more money. 

Who can get extended payments?

You can get extended payments if:

• You or your partner start work or self-employment, increase your hours or increase your earnings
  and
• This is expected to last for five weeks or more
  and
• You've been getting Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance or contributory Employment and Support Allowance (or a combination of these) non-stop for at least 26 weeks - and this benefit stops because of the change
  or
• You've been getting Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (or a combination of these) non-stop for at least 26 weeks - and this benefit stops because of the change.

If you're getting Jobseeker's Allowance, you need to be on the income-based type immediately before your job starts.

If you're on contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance, you won't be able to get extended payments.

How much will I get?

You'll usually get the same amount of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support as you did before your other benefits stopped.

How do I claim?

You don't have to make a claim for an extended payment or reduction. But you do need to let us know about your change - and that you expect your new job, increased hours or increased earnings to last for at least five weeks.

We'll check to make sure you've been on the right benefits for 26 weeks - and let you know if you can get extended payments.

How will it be paid?

We'll pay your Housing Benefit in the usual way, and your Council Tax Support will be included on your bill.

What else do I need to know?

We can also check whether you might get Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support based on your new income.

Once your extended payments have ended, you can move onto in-work benefit without having to make a new claim. But you'll need to give us full details of your new circumstances.

You may need to move to Universal Credit after starting work - the EntitledTo website gives useful information about this.

Report your change of circumstances

If you would like any more information, please contact us.