Will I have to pay rent? - Going into a refuge - Leaving home - Practical Help - Domestic Violence Forum - The London borough of Barking and Dagenham.

Practical Help

Leaving home

Going into a refuge

Will I have to pay rent?

If you go into a refuge you will need to pay rent during your stay. This is often covered by housing benefit. If you are worried about having to pay rent on an existing tenancy (the property you have left) you may be entitled to claim two sets of housing benefit to cover both rents. The refuge workers can advise you on this.

If you have an existing tenancy you should not give it up until you are sure that you can get alternative secure accommodation. You can get advice on this and other housing issues from the refuge workers.

Many women going into refuges need to make fresh benefit applications (e.g. for income support) to get money to live on once they arrive at the refuge. The refuge workers will be able to advise you on your benefit entitlements.

NB This includes women who have been in employment and have had to leave their jobs because their abuser knows where they work and so going to work puts them at risk of further violence and/or abuse.

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Contact
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Direct

Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm

Tel: 0208 215 3000
Fax: 0208 227 5755
Textphone: 020 8227 5755
Email: 3000direct@lbbd.gov.uk

Barking and Dagenham Domestic Violence Forum