Is this normal for a housing benefit claim? - desperate should i just move out?

Wooks

Go to your local citizens advice bureau tomorrow.

LHA varies depending on where you live, but you will probably qualify for other allowances as well.
Not a lot but better than nothing.

The rent you have quoted should be affordable within benefits assuming you claim everything you are entitled to.You may need to contribute, but it should be affordable.

CAB should take the case up on your behalf, but if they can't take your paperwork down to the council and don't leave until they have processed your application.
Point out that if you become homeless they have a duty to house you which will cost them a lot more than your rent.

These delays in processing your application are not your fault, its down to them.
Complain, make a fuss etc if you are able to do so. In my case 2 weeks became 2 days.

Good luck
With regard for the back dating, apply for it - nothing to lose.

zzzLazyDaisy

If it is correct that your rent is £80 per week and LHA is only £50.95, then it sounds like you may be renting a place that is bigger than your entitlement under LHA rules?

If you are under 25 with no children, you only get LHA for a room in a shared house. This covers the room only, not bills. If you are over 25 you get a higher allowance for a one bedroomed place.

LHA is calculated by reference to the average rent over the region, which can be a large area. So if you live in an expensive location, the rents may be more than the LHA allowance. But £80 vs £51 is a significant difference.

Do you know why your rent is so much higher than your LHA?

SuziQ

Would shelter be able to advise you how to get the LHA to sort out your claim?

amberowl28

Update

All council did was take all evidence off me again - i could have given it all last week instead of waiting a week for meeting! On a positive note said that final decision would given this week.

Definately moving out on 20th and housing benefit and LL keeping deposit should mean i owe nothing rent wise. Landlady has said if i get a full time job before then i may even be able to stay.

No word from McDonalds yet, will ring if don't hear soon. Also have another interview tom (i know 2 interviews in just over a week after months of nothing).

debrag

my housing benefit claim was fine once they had all documentation. One thing I don't like is that my cheques are dated for the Friday but I don't get them till the Wednesday (well only had one and that was the case) why so long and why not transfer instead of cheque?

amberowl28

As far as i'm aware it will go straight into my bank account - i'd ask them about this if i were you. They have had all documentation several times over last few months. I've discovered through chatting on another thread that i maybe able to appeal the decision not to backdate my claim as i did seek advice about applying right at the beginning of April, but was given incorrect advice and told i couldn't claim. Their arguement is that i should have known or sought advice earlier.

Doesn't help my current situation but may give me some money for a deposit on new place if sucessful.