Change to housing benefit entitlement?

s_boniface

We currently receive housing benefit as well as child tax credit. My wife has decided to help an old friend of ours by doing her cleaning and help getting her dressed five days a week. This is only possible if our friend pays for the petrol (as it is at some distance away) to cover the costs otherwise it would significantly effect our income. The question is do we need to declare this to the council and will it affect our entitlement to the benefit?

kind regards,

simon

karenx

If its a regular payment then I would assume so. Would also have to declare it for tax purposes. Does your partner work?

AnxiousMum

Just a thought......but if your wife is able to do this, why can she not get a job as a carer? Same thing, just a job rather than doing someone a favour! Then you might find that you don't need all the benefits and could be earning some money?

DuckyQuackQuack

You must inform the Council's Benefits Section of any changes in your income e.g. you/your partner starting work. And if you receive other benefits e.g. Income Support/ESA/JSA (Income Based) through DWP you must inform them too.

If the person your wife is thinking of helping receives DLA Care at the middle or highest rate, or Attendance Allowance, then perhaps your wife could claim Carers Allowance for looking after her? This would also need to be reported to the Council and DWP if applicable.

If you don't report changes, they may come to the Council's attention at a later date through a Data Match, and you may be investigated, and possibly prosecuted for fraud.

So honesty is the best policy.