5 minute benefit check up Article Discussion Area

MissMuppet

I've done this 5 minute checker thing a couple of times, I am possibly having to reduce my hours at work and I wanted to see if I would be entitled to some housing and/or council tax benefit... but it seems I'm not. I'm single, and my income would be less than £16,000 gross, my council tax is £78 a month, my most expensive bill after my rent of £450. Anyone know whether it's worth contacting the council to check?

sillylilly

I have used the Benefit Calculator linked to this site and it says I am entitled to quite a lot of benefit. I also double checked it by usin the Direct.gov benefit calculator and it said I was not eligible for anything. How can there be such a difference? i put the same figures into each calculation...........

kaypee_2

I was told that as from Dec 16th my JSA (contributions based) would end.Have applied for Pension credit but was refused because my 49yo wife works 25 hrs or more. No help with mortgage either. I now get absolutely nothing per week. Iam 64 and retire next November. I am at my wits end to know what to do.We get reduced Council Tax.but still owe £650 Tax credit. Is there any help available for me ? I have worked hard for 46 years.I feel so betrayed by the system.

DX2

kaypee wrote: »

I was told that as from Dec 16th my JSA (contributions based) would end.Have applied for Pension credit but was refused because my 49yo wife works 25 hrs or more. No help with mortgage either. I now get absolutely nothing per week. Iam 64 and retire next November. I am at my wits end to know what to do.We get reduced Council Tax.but still owe £650 Tax credit. Is there any help available for me ? I have worked hard for 46 years.I feel so betrayed by the system.

You would get more replies if you started your own thread.

Rompoalan

Is it legal for a retired parent to give a large cash gift to a family member in order to make themselves eligable for housing benefit ?

dmg24

Rompoalan wrote: »

Is it legal for a retired parent to give a large cash gift to a family member in order to make themselves eligable for housing benefit ?

There is nothing illegal about it per se, but giving away money in order to claim benefits will disqualify him from receiving benefits. He will be treated as if he still has the money.

kirks71

Help
I can't use the calculator the reason being is that i am a lone parent who up until 24/12/10 was registered as a full time carer for my disabled son. His DLA application has been denied and I now have to wait until beginning of August at the earliest before the tribunal will be heard. I am still caring for my son full time (he is 11) but have been told that I have to claim jobseekers and be actively looking for work or else be penalised yet again by the system. Does anyone have any advice it seems crazy that i am still a carer full time and now have to apply for jobs that i in no way can accept unless my son is put into hospital permanantly or i drop dead through exhaustion.

nutsfoot

Hi, just been put in the WRAG after winning an appeal against the DWP's decision not to allow my claim. I currently recieve £205.50 fortnightly for myself, wife and 2 children, could anybody tell me what this may increase to now i'm in the WRAG and also if there is likley to be any back payments to the date my appeal started which was May 2010

Josie64

gross income last april was 15, 500

we get working tax credit of 16.45 a week
hubby works 38 hours a week
we pay for prescriptions/dentist/optition
we get no help with rent (78.12 a week) or council tax ( 32.41 a week band B )

just wondered, based on the gross income , should we entitled to any help with anything?

thanks

sjbis11

My boyfriend has been sacked from his job. He's not disputing the reason why. He lives alone in the flat above his place of work and has to leave by 3/4/11. He has no money so what benefits will he be able to claim and how long does it usually take for any money to be paid to him