Extended Payment Periods

What is an Extended Payment Period (EPP)

If you or your partner, are starting work or increasing your hours and have been receiving Jobseekers Allowance (Income Based), Jobseekers Allowance (Contributions Based), Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, Employment Support Allowance (Income Related) or Employment Support Allowance (Contributions Related) then you may be entitled to claim 4 weeks Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit at the same rate as you were getting before.

This is called the extended payment period and will last for up to 4 weeks. This will start on the Monday following the date that you or your partner stops receiving any of the above benefits.

Who can claim?

If you or your partner, have been registered unemployed, are on a government training course, are a lone parent or a carer and have been receiving Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support or Incapacity Benefit for a continuous period of 26 weeks or more, you are able to apply.

You must also be under 60 years of age and expect your new work or your increased hours to last for at least 5 weeks and be working for 16 hours or more per week.

How can I claim?

You must tell us straight away if you think you are entitled to claim an extended payment. You must do this within one month of your change. You must also supply proof of your new work start date and proof that your job is expected to last longer than 5 weeks and the hours that you will be working.

What happens at the end of the Extended Payment Period?

If you have satisfied the conditions we will amend your benefit claim to continue for up to 4 weeks from the Monday after your Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support or Incapacity Benefit stopped. You will be paid at the rate that you already receive benefit.

Your claim will be ended after the extended payment period.  However, if you want to continue to claim benefit after the 4 week Extended Payment Period you must supply proof of all of your income and capital. This must be supplied within one month of the change.

Change of Circumstances form: change-of-circumstances-form
Evidence guide:  evidence-guide

Shepway District Council
Civic Centre
Castle Hill Avenue
Folkestone
CT20 2QY

 Telephone: 01303 853555 (Customer Services Team)

Fax: 01303 853510

Email: Housing Benefit General Enquiries

Customer Services at the Civic Centre are open 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Monday to Friday.