Please advise: Council and housing benefits.

Nicky23_2

DX2 wrote: »

That's strange as it is a 2010 -2011 guide, can't see how that could possibly be out of date.

As ESA replaced IB and IS for people who are sick from 27/10/08 then yes it is out of date - you would not get someone in the first 28 weeks of sickness getting either of the above mentioned anymore.

amber1979

Robbie64 wrote: »

have I got these figures correct?

JSA: £65.45
ESA £65.45
WTC: £20
tariff income (from savings): £12 - this is calculated by deducting £6000 off your savings and then is £1 for every £250 you have left

total: £162.90

The above is your income. Your "needs allowance" as a couple for HB and CTB purposes is £102.75 per week which is not only the amount the law says you need to live on as a couple but is also the amount at which you will get maximum HB and CB. Your income is £60.15 above this amount.

At £60.15 per week any HB will be reduced by £39.09 per week and CTB by £12.03 per week. Your maximum HB may not be the same as your actual rent but CTB should be equal to your weekly council tax bill (less these amounts of course).

Thank you, this explains alot!

However I'm a bit confused as as to what yoy meant about CTB. I'm a bit new to dealing with all of this stuff - we both worked in another life, sniff.

Does this mean that we will get CTB or not? Cheers pet.

catz1ct

What JSA are you getting? Income based or contributions?

beth58_2

amber1979 wrote: »

Thank you, this explains alot!

However I'm a bit confused as as to what yoy meant about CTB. I'm a bit new to dealing with all of this stuff - we both worked in another life, sniff.

Does this mean that we will get CTB or not? Cheers pet.

You will get some but not full benefit.
My income is contribution based ESA (£65 + tax credits @ £55 I have to pay towards my rent and CT.

Both your's and your partners income is classed as household income therefore you do not qualify for full H/CT benefit.
Unless he gets a disability premium, DLA middle rate care or disability premium with tax credit, which would qualify you for a H/CT benefit disability premium. If he does you may need to consider changing your claim for H/CT benefit to his name ensuring you get the premium.

It's complicated if you don't know the system, I'm still fighting for my DLA care and disability element of tax credit to be taken into account which, would qualify me for a disability premium on my housing benefit.

Benefits_Bod

Nicky23 wrote: »

Have you made a joint claim for council tax benefit? That may be all that's needed.

In law, there is no such thing as joint claimants for HB/CTB. In the case of a couple, only one can be the claimant. The other is a partner, not a joint claimant. Some LAs simply don't understand this and continue to design claim forms asking for signatures from the "second claimant". As the law currently stands, that is simply wrong.

As for the reduction in HB/CTB...

Without knowing all of the figures, my best guess is that the amount of the partner's tax credits and ESA are significantly more than the increase in personal allowance (applicable amount / needs allowance) that would be allowed for a couple when compared to a single claimant.

A couple (both over 18) will get a personal allowance of £102.75 per week compared to a single claimant who will get £65.45. That is an "increase" of £37.30. However, the income of the partner is at least £85.45 (ESA, presumably @ £65.45, and tax credits £20.00). That means there is "extra" income of £48.15 above the personal allowance.

In HB/CTB terms, that is a substantial increase, potentially reducing HB by as much as £28.89 per week and CTB by £9.63 per week.

Just one thought. Does the £20 working tax credit include the "30-hour" addition (this will be shown in the tax credit notification letter). If so, £17.10 should be disregarded from the tax credits - it doesn't matter if the partner is not actually working.

Hope the above helps.