Benefits (Payment Of Rent)

Mr. Hatton
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what criteria are used in determining whether social security benefits are paid direct to a claimant or, alternatively, paid to a landlord for providing the claimant with accommodation.

Mr. O'Malley
Social security benefits are normally paid direct to the claimant, but where it is known that a tenant receiving supplementary benefit is persistently  failing to pay his rent, arrangements can be made for payment to be made to the landlord.