Housing Benefit Query

lucy_w86

I am considering moving out with my sister who is on a low income,e earns about £150 pw. I will be on maternity leave when we are looking to do this so my pay will be just SMP.

If we move out, are we both able to claim housing benefit as we won't be able to afford to pay the rent ourselves?

karenx

It will be a joint claim and both your incomes will be taken into account and your tax credits

DX2

lucy_w86 wrote: »

I am considering moving out with my sister who is on a low income,e earns about £150 pw. I will be on maternity leave when we are looking to do this so my pay will be just SMP.

If we move out, are we both able to claim housing benefit as we won't be able to afford to pay the rent ourselves?

Will you be able to afford the rent when your SMP ends?

lucy_w86

DX2 wrote: »

Will you be able to afford the rent when your SMP ends?

yes I will and if I choose to go back to work part time, I should still get assistance.

Fire_Fox

Will it really be a joint claim with her sister?? Surely they aren't responsible for supporting each other?

tboo

If they have a joint tenancy then separate claim forms for hb/ctb are needed, when the op has the baby her claim will be reassessed.

karenx

But would they not both be putting down the rental amount as per the tenancy agreement?

tboo

The full amount does have to be put on the claim form and a tenancy agreement seen.
The rent is then halved for both claims and entitlement is assessed on this amount.
It will say on the claim form if they share the rent

lucy_w86

tboo wrote: »

The full amount does have to be put on the claim form and a tenancy agreement seen.
The rent is then halved for both claims and entitlement is assessed on this amount.
It will say on the claim form if they share the rent

Thanks

If you share the rent are both our claims likely to say that we have to pay a small proportion?

tboo

lucy_w86 wrote: »

Thanks

If you share the rent are both our claims likely to say that we have to pay a small proportion?

Hi
I'm not sure what you mean lol
Each claim is on your income etc, when you know if you are entitled to HB then the letter will say £x, this is for your half of the rent. Your sister will receive a letter herself with £x and this is for her half. If there is a shortfall then you pay this yourself.
On the claim form you put £xx but tell them you have a 50% share so the assessor knows not to calculate it on the full amount - but the tenancy agreement will confirm this

fluffymovie

Just to say that if you go on a tenancy as joint tenants, you would only be entitled to the Shared Room rate of LHA.

When baby comes along, you would then be entitled to the 2 bed rate of LHA but your sister would remain on the SRR so you may get more LHA than her.