Housing Benefit - What Counts As Income?

Indie_Kid

http://www.skill.org.uk/page.aspx?c=14&p=147

Oldernotwiser

sh1305 wrote: »

Some of the maintenance grant is ignored.

If you're disabled you get the Special Support Grant, not the Maintenance Grant.

Blackpool_Saver

ash4becks wrote: »

trust me there not all met by dla/DSA i have did a uni course

do you have a degree?

Indie_Kid

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

If you're disabled you get the Special Support Grant, not the Maintenance Grant.

I meant loan! Has been edited now.

ash4becks

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

do you have a degree?

not as yet i was up to date with all my work at the time dispite this nana and granda died 7 months apart while doing course head was a mess i hadnt lost anyone before was alot to deal with as i was being asessed for bi-polar with already depression and dyslexia it was just a step to far and thought it was best to start things over new in the sept but they decined me because of my mental health which i did fight to get back on the course ,

in truth that was the right decision for me i needed a break out of education to cope with my loss but i will be going back in sept to finnish the course i started

John38_2

sh1305 wrote: »

I meant loan! Has been edited now.

Do you know how much is ignored or have any links to the regulations?

Obviously he lives on his own or he wouldn't currently be getting housing benefit to cover his rent.

ALF is just another option for him if he faces unexpected difficulties, I wasn't recomending it as something to rely on.

Any information regarding the severe disability premium and obtaining SSG/HB would be great!

Oldernotwiser

John38 wrote: »

Do you know how much is ignored or have any links to the regulations?

Obviously he lives on his own or he wouldn't currently be getting housing benefit to cover his rent.

ALF is just another option for him if he faces unexpected difficulties, I wasn't recomending it as something to rely on.

Any information regarding the severe disability premium and obtaining SSG/HB would be great!

There's information on the calculation (and other relevant issues) on here.

http://www.skill.org.uk/uploads/media/Income_Support.doc

John38_2

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

There's information on the calculation (and other relevant issues) on here.

http://www.skill.org.uk/uploads/media/Income_Support.doc

Thanks! I saw that booklet earlier, it's fairly helpful actually.

It turns out he is eligible for income support whilst at university, and therefore full rate housing benefit.

The only confusion now, is what counts as income for income support purposes? Special Support Grant doesn't count. Neither does Disability Living Allowance. Maintainance Loan DOES count, but has a disregardable amount for books and travel costs.

The Bursary that the University give of £1,000 a year is very complicated. Is it income, or is it help towards equipment costs etc and therefore not counted?

Cheers.

John38_2

Right. It seems the £1000 bursary is classed as income, but disregarded as long as it is used for a one off cost, or used on an on-going basis (but not for basic living costs).

His applicable amount (Income Support) is £144.65. His only 'deductable' income is the Maintainance Loan of £4950. £693 is disregarded for books and travel. The remaining amount is divided into 43 weeks and leaves a weekly income of £99. Of that £99, £10 a week is automatically disregarded, leaving a final weekly income of £89.

Applicable amount (£144.65) minus weekly income (£89) leaves £55.65.

So his income for studying will be:

Income Support: £55.65 Per Week (£144.65 In Summer Holidays)
Special Support Grant: £55.88 Per Week
Maintainance Loan: £95.19 Per Week
Disability Living Allowance: £65 Per Week
University Bursary: £19.23 Per Week
Housing Benefit: £65.55 (Full Rate) Per Week.

Total: £356.50 Per Week (Term Time)
£445.50 Per Week (Summer Holidays)

Annually: £19,339

WOW! Maybe he wont need any ALF after all!

Blackpool_Saver

It's all fine while you are there, but then you are left with lots to pay back..............