Housing Benefit claims.....

Bromarc

Hey guys,

Really need some help if you can with the below questions:

1) If I claim for housing benefit will my Landlord find out?

2) My girlfriend is a full time student (I am currently unemployed), will this effect my claim?

3) My girlfriend is a student and we currently don’t pay council tax ( I know it is not completely correct however we need to save money in these times). If I put in the claim for housing benefit will the council find out I am living there and not paying anything?

I would love your opinions and advice.

Look forward to your replies.

Many Thanks
Bromarc

Caz3121

If you live together your household income is used for all calculations of means tested benefits, this includes all student loans etc (whether taken or not) whose name is on the lease?

I_luv_cats

The council will need a breakdown of your rent (i.e. what the rent covers) from your landlord as they don't pay for bills that are included.

Bromarc

Both of are names are on the contract........

Thanks
Bromarc

sunnyone

Bromarc wrote: »

Hey guys,

Really need some help if you can with the below questions:

1) If I claim for housing benefit will my Landlord find out?

2) My girlfriend is a full time student (I am currently unemployed), will this effect my claim?

3) My girlfriend is a student and we currently don’t pay council tax ( I know it is not completely correct however we need to save money in these times). If I put in the claim for housing benefit will the council find out I am living there and not paying anything?

I would love your opinions and advice.

Look forward to your replies.

Many Thanks
Bromarc

So you are on the contract, no doubt you have lived there since the contract was signed but you dont think you need to pay council tax like the rest of us? How was the rent paid when you signed the contract?

We all "need to save money in these times" but we dont commit fraud to do it.

sunnyone

Oldernotwiser

You must be daft if you think you can hide the fact that you live somewhere for council tax purposes and, at the same time, try to claim HB/LHA for the same place!

All your girlfriend's student funding and any earnings will be taken into account when assessing means tested benefits.

Do you realise that you can get a criminal record for benefit fraud, as well as having to pay back all the council tax that you owe?

hippy-chicy

There is nothing to stop you claiming HB/CTB you will need to the claimant though. Both your incomes will be taken into account when assessing your claim. Your landlord does not need to know.

I am assuming that you have a student exemption on your council tax account as well as a single person discount? However, when you claim HB/CTB you will need to provide a copy of your tenancy agreement which as you have stated is in both you and your partners names. The HB and CTAX departments liase very closely with each other. When you provide that agreement the assessor will see the date that the contract was signed, will see that their is currently a SPD and student exemption on your partners council tax account and will inform the council tax department that you have been there since the start of the tenancy.

You may get ongoing benefit but you will also get a bill for however long you haven't been paying. Also if you or your partner have provided false information - whatever action the council tax department decide to take against you.

PhlangePhace

hippy-chicy wrote: »

I am assuming that you have a student exemption on your council tax account as well as a single person discount?

The property is likely classed as totally exempt as 'a student household'. There wouldn't be a SPD as such.

But you know that, don't you, h-c

hippy-chicy

:rotfl:

Yes....ignore me ..i am having 'moment'. It has been one of those days !! :rolleyes:

Bromarc

Why shouldnt I want to save money, I dont get you guys there are big bosses on millions of pound bonus even in this financial downturn and you call me up on this......we have to stand against these people but no one cares anymore......

sunnyone

Bromarc wrote: »

Why shouldnt I want to save money, I dont get you guys there are big bosses on millions of pound bonus even in this financial downturn and you call me up on this......we have to stand against these people but no one cares anymore......

We have to stand up to all fraudsters, you and your girlfriend are fraudsters.

I care that all fraud is stopped, so claim HB and count the cost.

Just how long ago did you sign the lease, how long have you been getting away with it?

sunnyone