Regulation 77 Time and manner of payment of housing benefit in respect of collective community charge contributionsI1
England, Wales and Scotland
Subject to regulations 79, 80 and 81 (withholding of benefit, payments on death and offsetting), the appropriate authority shall pay housing benefit to which a person is entitled on account of his liability to pay any collective community charge contribution under section 11(11) of the 1987 Act, at such time and in such manner as is appropriate having regard to–
the times at which and the frequency with which a person’s liability to pay a collective community charge contribution arises; and
the reasonable needs and convenience of the person entitled thereto.
Payments of housing benefit under paragraph (1) may take the form of vouchers issued by the appropriate authority which vouchers shall state–
the name of the person entitled to the benefit;
the address of the premises in respect of which the collective community charge is payable;
the daily amount of benefit to which he is entitled;
the day or days in respect of which benefit has been awarded.
Any voucher paid in accordance with paragraph (1) on account of a person’s entitlement to housing benefit, may be paid by that person to the charge payer to whom the contribution is due, in reduction of the liability for the contribution concerned.
Except in cases to which regulations 79, 80 and 81 apply, the first payment of housing benefit in respect of collective community charge contributions shall be made within 7 days of the receipt of a claim at the designated office or, if that is not reasonably practicable, as soon as possible thereafter.