HB ends at the end of the benefit week that contains the date of the claimant’s death. The reason is because liability ends on the same day as the claimant’s death. It is not possible for there to be a liability to pay rent beyond the date of death because effectively the claimant is no longer occupying the dwelling.
In a case where the death happens on a Sunday HB effectively ends on the date of death for the above reason. This is an exception to the general rule that the change occurs from the following day. It avoids HB being paid for a further week when it is impossible for the claimant to still be in occupation.
Hope this helps.
Legal references
section 130(1)(a) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992
regulation 79(1) of the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006
