Benefits: Housing

Baroness Thomas of Winchester
asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why housing benefit payable to private landlords is not paid per calendar month instead of every four weeks. [HL1283]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord McKenzie of Luton)
Local authorities have some discretion in deciding how to pay benefit in any particular case and are expected to take into account the reasonable needs and convenience of the customer in determining the frequency and timing of payments. The general principle is that the timing of payments should reflect the nature of the customer’s liability.

Housing benefit paid direct to landlords is paid every four weeks. However, where the client has a monthly rent liability, direct payments may be made at calendar monthly intervals.