Claiming Housing Benefit without a tenancy agreement?

If you don't have a formal agreement, you really need something in writing from your 'landlord'. You are more than able to claim housing benefit but you do need some proof that you are paying rent. Would your bank account show that the same regular amount is going out to your landlord or the co-operative? You will need to show bank statements or building society book anyway. You will also need to show some proof of your address, a bill or a bank statement. If like me you have paperless statements then you will need to gather some of the bumf that the bank still sends with your name on it. It would be so much easier if some kind soul at the co-op could put in writing the arrangement for you. Whatever, you need to start the claim immediately as most local authorities will not backdate rent any longer and payments start from 2 days after your claim is received. My advice is to try and do it on line if your local authority allows that. That way, you will find out exactly what doentation they want. They will need you to send it in within a month. Failing this, pick a form up - it will be the quickest way of dealing with it.