Incapacity Benefit - Housing?

loddellbosh

I'm on long-term IB, which is my only source of income, but I'm also under 25 (21). I'm currently living with my parents but would like some sort of independence. Would I be entitled to Housing Benefit?

mazza111

When i was on IB I got housing benefit, not enough to cover whole of the rent but a partial rebate, best to ask out right or use one of the benefit calculators, google benefit calculator and it gives u a good idea, not got time atm as i'm on way to work...

Dustangle

loddellbosh wrote: »

I'm on long-term IB, which is my only source of income, but I'm also under 25 (21). I'm currently living with my parents but would like some sort of independence. Would I be entitled to Housing Benefit?

Do you get DLA care component at middle or higher rate? If you do, you might become eligible for some HB if you were living alone, or treated as living alone according to their rules. If you don't, you should apply.

This is too complicated to advise properly on in an internet forum.

You should make an appointment with someone from your local social work /social services, where they have experience of setting up packages of assistance to help people move to personal independence, including finding a tenancy, deposits, costs of furniture, practical suppport once you have your new home, etc. They may also be able to direct financial assistance to you, depending on their assessment of your needs.

If you'd rather not so this, your local Citizens Advice Bureau will give you information and help in handling benefits.

You may have a local Disabled Persons Housing Service in the area you live which can help - google the phrase "Disabled Persons Housing Service".

zappster1966

Even greater dependance on the State & taxpayer is a strange way to define independence. Wouldn't it be better to wait until your health is such that you can return to work first and then rent or buy your own home ?

healy

Dustangle wrote: »

Do you get DLA care component at middle or higher rate? If you do, you might become eligible for some HB if you were living alone, or treated as living alone according to their rules. If you don't, you should apply.

This is too complicated to advise properly on in an internet forum.

You should make an appointment with someone from your local social work /social services, where they have experience of setting up packages of assistance to help people move to personal independence, including finding a tenancy, deposits, costs of furniture, practical suppport once you have your new home, etc. They may also be able to direct financial assistance to you, depending on their assessment of your needs.

If you'd rather not so this, your local Citizens Advice Bureau will give you information and help in handling benefits.

You may have a local Disabled Persons Housing Service in the area you live which can help - google the phrase "Disabled Persons Housing Service".

Receiving the middle or higher care component of DLA and living alone does not relate to receiving housing benefit. It relates to receiving the the Severe Disability Premium in Income Support.

real1314

loddellbosh wrote: »

I'm on long-term IB, which is my only source of income, but I'm also under 25 (21). I'm currently living with my parents but would like some sort of independence. Would I be entitled to Housing Benefit?

How much is your IB?

HGLTsuperstar

As you are under 25 the housing benefit allocation is restricted - you are deemed as "suitable" to for shared accomodation rather than a 1-bed place, so think if you'd rather share with strangers or your folks

Dustangle

healy wrote: »

Receiving the middle or higher care component of DLA and living alone does not relate to receiving housing benefit. It relates to receiving the the Severe Disability Premium in Income Support.

That is incorrect.

SDP is part of HB and CTB as well as IS. First of all, the original poster may become eligible for IS because he or she is getting DLA care mid/high and lives alone and so qualifies for SDP. Secondly, even if that isn't the case, he or she may become entitled to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit by becoming entitled to SDP in Housing Benefit as part of his or her applicable amount once a tenancy begins, as the Adviser's Guide to which I have linked indicates.

All of which confirms my earlier point that this is too complicated a matter to get advice about on the internet.

There are many well-meaning but less-than-fullly-informed people here either with an axe to grind, like Zappster, who seems to be an American (no offence) or who lack a full knowledge of the range of benefits and services available in this country.

I would emphatically repeat my advice to discuss your wishes with a social worker who has done this before.

Dustangle

HGLTsuperstar wrote: »

As you are under 25 the housing benefit allocation is restricted - you are deemed as "suitable" to for shared accomodation rather than a 1-bed place, so think if you'd rather share with strangers or your folks

That is also not always correct. From the Adviser's Guide I quoted earlier -

The single room restriction does not apply to you if:

• you are one of a couple or have dependent children living with you
• you rent your home from a registered Social Landlord
• you have your claim assessed under the pre-January 1996 rules
• you are under 22 and have been the subject of a care order or were provided with accommodation by the council under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989
• you get the Severe Disability Premium included in your Applicable Amount
• you have one or more non-dependants living with you.

Again, my advice to get expert advice from a qualified professional, such as a social worker at your local council, applies here.

zzzLazyDaisy

Dustangle wrote: »

That is incorrect.

SDP is part of HB and CTB as well as IS.

.

The link you posted was dated 2006, and is now out of date.

For private renting HB has now been replaced by LHA, which is a flat rate and there is no severe disability premium. OP is under 25 so will only be paid the rate set by her authority for a room in a shared house, unless she is classed as severely disabled in which case she may be allowed the LHA for a one bedroomed place - but because this is a flat rate, it may still not cover the full rent.

CT benefit does still have a severe disability element.

Dustangle

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

The link you posted was dated 2006, and is now out of date.

For private renting HB has now been replaced by LHA, which is a flat rate and there is no severe disability premium. OP is under 25 so will only be paid the rate set by her authority for a room in a shared house. CT benefit does still have a severe disability element.

But of course lots of homes are provided by social landlords. But it proves my point about not getting advice off the internet in the small hours of the night, but going to a professional service!