housing benefit

desperado1_2 · 12 January 2007 at 10:59AM

goodmorning

Hi can anyone be able to give me some advice.

Basically we could be possibly getting our home repossessed in the next month. So I am trying to sort out other alternative accomadation should this happen.

At present we would only be able to afford £550 pm for rental and in my area that would only be a 1 bedroom place, but there is five us (me, my dh and three wonderful kids), what i was wondering do they give housing benefit to self employed people. My husband is currently earning around £200 pw,

What information will be required for the application and roughly how much could we get, as any help would be grateful, and perhaps i could look for a two bedroom place

thank you

yummymummy79 · 12 January 2007 at 11:24AM

Housing Benefit is based on the household income, regardless of whether it is from employment or self-employment. The only difference could be is that there will be different forms and info needed for self employed people, and the claim may be reviewed more often because of potential of income to change.

With regard to the application, the forms are usually quite long but a lot won't be relevant. Basicially it is people details (names, dob etc), income (wages, other benefits, tax credits), savings (bank accounts, other savings, premium bonds, shares, other properties etc) and then property details (size, rent, address etc). You will need to prove all of these things so ID for all adults, proof of income (accounts or profit/loss info), proof of child benefit and tax credits, statements for bank/building society accounts, and tenancy agreement once you have the property.

You would be best to get a few suitable properties in mind so you know the figures you are looking at, then ask the council for a pre-tenancy determination (it was called this when I worked in benefits 4 years ago, may be something else now) which will tell you the maximum they would be willing to pay you for that property. That is not the application itself, just a side thing that can let you know the amounts you could be looking at.

Also worth having a look at it the benefits calculator at https://www.entitledto.co.uk (or other similar ones) which will give you some kind of idea.

lush_bucket · 12 January 2007 at 11:34AM

Hi there

Sorry to hear about your situation. You would need to visit the council, but yes they do issue housing benefit to self employed people, they usually ask you to fill in a form and provide several forms of identification. You wil aso be asked for a few months bank statements. You will then be made an appoinment with a benefits officer. You shouldnt delay in this as appoinments are scarce and can be up to a week away, then they have to assess your form and make a decision. It can then take a few weeks for a payout... The sooner you do this the better.
Also go to the council housing section and make an appoinment, declare yourself and your family homeless and they may be able to find accomodation for you. If you are online, do a search for all housing associations in your area and ring them and see if they can help. Try not to be embarassed when you go to the council, remember that they are used to dealing with people from all walks of life who are having housing trouble. But do it now, also ring the CAB as they will be able to give you more informed advice. You could also go to your social security office and make an application for a crisis loan from the social fund.. it would help towards a deposit. Good Luck

Fran · 12 January 2007 at 11:35AM

desperado1,

Have you been in contact with Shelter? The will be able to advise you best about your local housing situation. You need a larger house than two bedroom with three kids, Shelter will help you with options in your area eg. Housing Associations.

Have you got advice anyway as you say "possibly be repossessed"?

chevalier · 12 January 2007 at 11:41AM

Is there no way to avoid the reposession? What are the circumstances? If you post a statement of affairs (see southern scousers sticky at the top of the forum). There might be savings to be made.
best of luck
chev

desperado1_2 · 12 January 2007 at 12:11PM

Thanks for all your great advice

We have an appointment with our council housing advisor on Monday, but reading up on other forums, they try to say you made yourself intentionally homeless if you let your house get repossessed. Do they honestly think I would let that happen, we just didn't and still don't have the money to pay the mortgage.

All our housing associations in my area you have to be recommended by the council.

So that is why we are looking to rent privately, we don;t and never have been spongers off the government, we just need a bit of help with some of the rent for a short time, until mu husbands business picks up.

Are we better off waiting for the eviction order, look for possible renting possibilities and then try and apply for housing benefit. As we will only have about 28 days to find alternative accomadation

Again thanks for all you help

lynzpower · 12 January 2007 at 12:19PM

Are we better off waiting for the eviction order, look for possible renting possibilities and then try and apply for housing benefit. As we will only have about 28 days to find alternative accomadation

As I said in your other thread, I strongly suspect that the council wont accomodate you until you have the eviction order executed.

Fran · 12 January 2007 at 12:23PM

As already suggested, contact Shelter and Citizens Advice if you haven't already. You might be able to avoid the repossession. Do it now.

desperado1_2 · 12 January 2007 at 12:26PM

what does eviction order executed

if we do get repossessed when would we receive this

Bestthingsinlifearefree · 12 January 2007 at 12:28PM

Hi D,

People want to help you.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=347403&page=2

Can you help us help you by posting or trying to post an SOA.

If people know your overall financial picture they will be able to give you advice.

Best,

Bestthingsinlifearefree · 12 January 2007 at 12:29PM

Hi D,

This link will help you do an SOA and from that ppl can then advise you.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=107280

Best,

housing benefit

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