My first payment is late
The Housing Executive must make a decision about your housing benefit application within 14 days of receiving all the necessary information to support your application. Include all relevant details with your application, otherwise your claim may be delayed.
If the Housing Executive doesn't tell you the decision within 14 days, you will be entitled to some money to help you with your housing costs until your receive notification of the decision. This is known as an interim payment.
Requesting an interim payment
If you have not received a decision about your housing benefit application within 14 days, you can request an interim payment. This is a payment to help you cover your housing costs while the Housing Executive works out your benefit entitlement.
You can request an interim payment if the reason for the delay is:
- your landlord
- your employer
- the Social Security Agency
- the Land and Property Services
- the Housing Executive.
Interim payment is a legal entitlement, so you don't have to apply for it. You must, however, request it. You can do so by either telephoning, or writing to, 
the Housing Executive District Office dealing with your housing benefit application.You can use our interim payment letter to request the money from the Housing Executive
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How much will the interim payment be?
The Housing Executive will base the interim payment on the information you have given in your application. The amount you get may be less than your rent.
Once your housing benefit application has been assessed, the Housing Executive will:
- ask you to pay back the difference between your interim payment and your actual housing benefit entitlement (overpayment), or
- give you the extra housing benefit you were entitled to.
If the Housing Executive determines that you are not entitled to housing benefit, you will be asked to pay back the entire amount given.
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When can the Housing Executive refuse an interim payment?
The Housing Executive can refuse to give you an interim payment if:
- it is unlikely that you will be able to claim housing benefit
- you didn't provide the necessary information for the Housing Executive to process your form.
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Can I appeal?
You can't appeal the Housing Executive's decision about an interim payment. However, you may be able to:
The rules on housing benefit can be complicated. Get advice if you think that the Housing Executive have made a mistake.
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