Housing Benefits

A guide to basic bank accounts

This section tells you:

  • what a direct payment is;
  • what the advantages of a direct payment are;
  • how to open a bank account; and
  • how to manage you rent payments.

How will I receive my direct benefit payment?
We aim to make all benefit payments into a bank or building society account. We will do this by using a form of direct payment called 'Bank Automated Crediting System' (BACS).  This is a safe and flexible way to receive any payments from us.