Renting whilst on JSA

CHARDONNAY_3

Since splitting with my partner at the start of the year, I've been living with my mum, however our relationship has deteriorated to the point where I just can't cope living here anymore.

My name is on the coucil / housing assoc lists but I've got no chance of being offered a place for years so my only option would be to privately rent.

My only problem is I had to leave my job recently due to anxiety / panic attacks, so I would have to claim for the cost of rent / C. Tax til I find a new job, but don't know where to start.

I've e-mailed a few estate agents who will accept DSS, but don't know how long a claim takes to process, how much id be entitled to, & if theres any help available for 1st months rent / deposit etc, as the only way of me covering those costs would be to withdraw cash from a credit card.

thanks

karenx

Theres no help for the deposit and first months rent. You can only apply for LHA once you have a house as you need to supply the rent amount and your signed tenancy agreement. If you look at the following site it will give you your LHA amount this is the maximim they will pay and if your rent is more you will have to top up the rest from your JSA.
https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/Secure/Default.aspx
But bear in mind once you get a job you will have to contribute more if not all of the rent! As a single person you will only be entitled to the shared room rate.

suelees1

your first step is to look on the local authority website to see how much local housing allowance (LHA) they'd pay for someone who needs one bedroom. If you're under 25 you'll only get the shared room rate which is always less.

You'll then know the maximim benefit which would be allowed. You must make a claim by obtaining a form from the council. Claims can take several weeks to process.

Deposits are not available from the Jobcentre but rent in advance could be. However your local council probably has a rent deposit scheme run by a local CAB or similar so you can ask them

suelees1

karenx wrote: »

As a single person you will only be entitled to the shared room rate.

This isn't right. It's for singles under 25

https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/Secure/FAQ.aspx#SingleOver25

karenx

Sorry. But to be fair we dont know how old the OP is.

KimYeovil

It's up to you to save up the deposit. This is more difficult than in the olden days when rents were cheaper than the dole.

dmg24

karenx wrote: »

Sorry. But to be fair we dont know how old the OP is.

A quick search would show that the OP is over 25.

Also, some LA's do provide deposit guarantee schemes. These are not well publicised, so the OP may have to ask if she is eligible.

CHARDONNAY_3

Thanks for the replies / links.

Yes, I'm over 25, so according to LHA website my rate is 92 pounds a week.

I've seen some properties advertised with no / low deposit so I'll try & hold out for somewhere like that, I've spoken to my aunty who has said she might be able to help me out with 1st months rent or act as a guarantor.

[Deleted User]

they also have the facility to grant discretionary additional lha payments,which will mean getting the full rent paid for a period and not just the LHA.

viktory

CHARDONNAY wrote: »

...the only way of me covering those costs would be to withdraw cash from a credit card.

As you are now unemployed I would strongly advise against this course of action - how would pay it back?

dotstar24

could you apply for a crisis loan to cover the cost of the deposit??