Family as lodger whilst on benefits?

Mootoo

First of all, this is my first post - so hello to all!

Rather complicated situation but I'll explain as best I can...

I'm a single Mum of one and I claim full Income Support, full Child Tax Credits and Child Benefit and live in a mortgaged house. (I've been left high and dry by my lovely husband, so not working just now as my daughter is only 3). My Mum who is 55 is currently privately renting and lives with my Sister. Now my Sister is moving out into her own place, and my Mum will no longer be able to afford the rent on her own (plus her landlord is increasing the rent in August). She's going to have to leave and I wondered where I'd stand if I took her in as a lodger? She has a part time job at the supermarket on a small wage. Would I lose all my benefits?

Sorry it's so complicated!

Laura x

sammyjammy

No you wouldn't lose all your benefits, she would be classed as a non dependant adult, your Council tax and Housing benefit would be reassessed so that she paid an amount towards it related to her income, you would need to report her living with you to both DWP and Housing benefit to cover your back.

sammyjammy

Its a bit quiet here today but I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong and good for you taking care of your mum!

Sam

Js_Other_Half

Your Mum can't claim any help with housing costs as she is your mother - she would not be considered a boarder.
http://www.tameside.gov.uk/housingbenefit/nondependentdeductions discusses non - dependent deductions.

eg Income of £116 per week or under -
deduction of £7.40 off your housing benefit
deduction of £2.30 off your council tax benefit.

~Other than these deductions, I do not think you would lose any other benefits. Hopefully someone else will be able to confirm this.

PhlangePhace

I doubt the OP is getting HB as her home is owned/mortgaged :rolleyes:

And Mother wouldn't be able to claim HB, if the OP charged rent as they'd presumably be 'living together' in so much as the lounge/kitchen would be shared?

Unless the OP has a granny flat? With private self-contained living area and kitchen....then Mother could claim HB/LHA for rental of the granny flat.

Mootoo

Hi thanks for the replies! My Mum would be staying in the house with me, sharing lounge and kitchen. I guess I need to make an appointment at the Job Centre and see if they can work out how much better/worse off I'd be. Probably should have mentioned we're in Scotland, not sure if that makes a difference or not?

Laura x

PhlangePhace

Mootoo wrote: »

Hi thanks for the replies! My Mum would be staying in the house with me, sharing lounge and kitchen.

To clarify the point I made earlier, then....as your Mother would be living with a close relative ('living with' meaning sharing main rooms such as lounge and/or kitchen) then she would definately not be eligible to claim HB. Even if you were to draw up a legally enforcable lodgers tenancy agreement.

Unfortuantely I haven't the expertise to comment on the DWP benefit side of things for you and your proposed circumstances.