What is an Extended Payment of benefit?
When you get a job, or increase the amount of hours you work at your current job, Extended Payments of benefit can help you to meet your housing (rent) and Council Tax costs.
Extended Payments can be awarded for a period up to 4-weeks. These Extended Payment Periods (EPP)are designed to be paid during the period between the last payment of Income Support (I/S) or Job Seekers Allowance-Income Based (JSA-IB) and receipt of your first wage.
From April 2004 the EPP Scheme has been widened to include some claimants who are in-receipt of:
- Incapacity Benefit and / or
- Severe Disablement Allowance
for 26 weeks or more. Or in-receipt of the above benefits in conjunction with Income Support (I/S) or Job Seekers Allowance-Income Based (JSA-IB). If the total combined period of these benefits is for a continuous period of 26-weeks or more you may qualify for an EPP.
You must notify Eastbourne Borough Council's Benefits Office or the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) of your change in circumstances within 4 weeks of the change.
Am I eligible to claim an Extended Payment for council tax or housing benefit?
If you were receiving Income Support (I/S), Jobseeker's Allowance-Income Based (JSA-IB) or Incapacity Benefit / Severe Disablement Allowance for at least 26 weeks in a row, you may be eligible for an Extended Payment when you start your new job, provided you claim within four weeks of starting your new job.
How can I apply for an Extended Payment for Benefits?
If you believe that you are entitled to an Extended Payment then you should contact us in writing as soon as possible. At the latest within four weeks of your Income Support (I/S), Job Seekers Allowance-Income Based (JSA-IB), Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disability Allowance ending.
What will I receive if I qualify for an Extended Payment?
If you qualify for an extended payment, it means an extra four weeks of Benefits payable at the same rate whilst you were in-receipt of Income Support (I/S), Jobseeker's Allowance -Income based (JSA-IB), Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance. It does not matter how much you earn. If your Extended Payment Period (EPP) covers any 'rent free' weeks you will not be paid for these weeks. If you move home during the Extended Payment Period you may be paid at a different rate.
