Am I entitled to housing benefit?

Uggabble

I am a full-time student at university and do not currently work. I am also a single-parent with one small child. I receive the usual child benefit, child tax credit etc.

I am also in receipt of student loans and grants, the thing is due to living with family as well as this years payment I currently have approx £15,000. £5000 of which I would class as savings. And

£ 10,000 of which is made up of student loans/grants/childcare etc. from not only last year but also the current year.

This is all the money I have, I am concerned because the rent I have to pay is 115 weekly. On top of bills etc. and the financial strain of university I would be unable to pay this. Does anyone know if I may be entitled?

hbgirl

you say you live with family, do you mean you pay rent to them? if so, this is not allowed for hb i'm afraid. if you are talking about other accomodation i would recommend you make a claim. many students with children are entitled based on student loan income.

many full time students are not eligible as the government beleives students should pay their own way (via loans). however, lone parents are eligible to claim.

the capital limit is £16,000 so also you won't fail there.

however, the full amount of loan you could be entitled to will be taken into account as income even if you opted not to take it all. some amounts e.g. for child care can be disregarded.

i'm sorry i can't be more precise, but student claims are a bit of a nightmare to work out!

Uggabble

Thanks for your reply!

Yes I have been living with family which is how I managed to save some money, but am due to move into my own place in the near future. Most of that money is going to be spent on buying a washing machine, cooker, carpeting, a bed for myself and child etc. I'm just worried because if I'm not entitled I really won't be able to pay the rent for more than a few months before I'm down to zero.

I know it really is complicated, I can't seem to find out much information anywhere!

bestpud

£15k on some furniture, carpets and white goods? :eek:

Seriously, I'd budget a bit and keep some of that money for when you may need it more. You absolutely do not need to spend that amount of money on furnishing a property for two people. You can have up to £6k and claim, but over that and they will start reducing your benefits.

My understanding is you can claim HB but if it is a private rental, it is LHA you will need.

I don't know if it is paid all year round, or just in the breaks though... I'm pretty sure you should be able to claim IS in the breaks....

Oldernotwiser

Uggabble wrote: »

Thanks for your reply!

Yes I have been living with family which is how I managed to save some money, but am due to move into my own place in the near future. Most of that money is going to be spent on buying a washing machine, cooker, carpeting, a bed for myself and child etc. I'm just worried because if I'm not entitled I really won't be able to pay the rent for more than a few months before I'm down to zero.

I know it really is complicated, I can't seem to find out much information anywhere!

You should discuss this with your Lone Parent Adviser, who should be able to run through all the figures with you. Basically your Student Loan and Maintenance Grant are counted as income, just as if you were working. If this then means that you're eligible for all or part of your LHA allowance then this will be paid in addition.

If your Lone Parent Adviser isn't familiar with your situation (and some aren't), you may well find that the university Student Services will be better placed to advise you. Most lone parents manage perfectly well in this situation and you should be no worst off than you would be on benefits.

I agree with Bestpud that you shouldn't need to spend all this money on furnishing a flat; as well as that, this can be seen as deprivation of capital and any benefit assessed as if you still had the money. It's not just what you consider to be savings that matter, after all!

Uggabble

Thanks for the advice. Actually what I meant was that money is supposed to tide me over until the next loan payment of 3k in the first few months of 2010. I should have explained I meant that it much of it will be spent on all utility bills, university costs, childcare costs and just basic living costs in addition to furnishing etc.

leon_gallen

i dont think u will get housing benfit to pay family as a friend of mine rented a house of her father and they would not pay anything 4her and she also was a lone mun of 2kids