Housing Benefit: overdrawn or behind on rent

Part of: Housing Benefit payments

If you're behind on rent payments

If you owe 8 weeks or more rent, or are at risk of court or eviction please fill out our payment enquiry form.

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If you are overdrawn

Your bank or building society is not allowed to use Housing Benefit to repay an overdraft.

You can tell your bank that your payment can only be used to pay your rent. This protection is called a first right of appropriation of funds order. 

Find out more about a first right of appropriation of funds order on the Money Advice Hub website.