New Clause 10
Welfare Reform Bill
12:15 pm
Circumstances in which a person is treated as occupying a dwelling as his home
‘(1) This section applies where a person is moving from a dwelling at which he qualifies for payment of Housing Benefit to another dwelling at which he will qualify for payment of Housing Benefit.
(2) Regulations may make provisions that such a person may be treated as occupying both dwellings as his home and be eligible for Housing Benefit in respect of both homes for a period not exceeding four weeks if he could not reasonably have avoided rental liability in respect of the two dwellings.
(3) Regulations under subsection (2) may allow for Housing Benefit to be paid in respect of both dwellings for a period exceeding four weeks where the applicant is awaiting the outcome of an application under Part III of the Social Security Act 1988 (c. 7) for a social fund payment to meet a need arising out of the move or in connection with setting up the home in the dwelling.’.—[Danny Alexander.]