Would we be able to claim housing or council tax benefit?

mrmichaelf

I've recently had my hours cut at work, which means my annual salary has gone from 19k to 12.5k
My partner earns around 5.5-6k per year in her part time job.
We have 2 children ages 4 and 9 months.

Our monthly rent is £625 and council tax about £110.
We no longer pay any child care fee's.

I don't know where to start with this, have never claimed before for things like this, but I will imagine we will struggle a great deal now.

Thanks in advance.

Caz3121

If it is a private let you first need to go to https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/Secure/LHARateSearch.aspx?SearchType=LA to get the rate for a 2 bedroom in your area (the size of the property if different is not relevant)

then have a look at http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx and put all your details in (it will ask for the LHA rate) and you should get an indication of what help, if any, you could get

mrmichaelf

Thanks.

It is a 3 bedroom property.
What is the LHA rate?

mrmichaelf

Think i'm with you now, thanks.

Caz3121

mrmichaelf wrote: »

Thanks.

It is a 3 bedroom property.
What is the LHA rate?

the bedroom calculator on the LHA site will show that with 2 adults and 2 kids under 10 you are entitled to the rate for a 2 bedroom property - you can live in whatever size property you wish but any housing benefits/LHA is based on your entitlement

this will give you the maximum that is payable then entitledto will help based on your income. There is a formula that is used that you have a protected income of x then 65% of the remainder is to go towards your rent then if there is any delta you can get some help

mrmichaelf

After using all the info and the website you provided, we can claim the grand total of £2 per week towards our rent.
I don't think its worth the hassle!

Jowo_2

Put your information into the 'Entitled To' website which will check eligibility for all benefits, such as working tax or child tax credits.

Look at the other forums to see how to decrease expenses. Download the Budget planner on the free tools section.

According to a PAYE calculator, your net working incomes will be around £1340 per month, plus an additional £145 pcm child benefit. Obviously, your rent and council tax of £735 takes away half of your household income and the loss of a third of your gross salary is a blow, but you will find the money saving advice very helpful to make the remaining £750 stretch much further.

mrmichaelf

We'd be entitled to around 90-100 per week child tax credits which is a big help.