housing benefit help?

dreambirdie

hello just wondering if someone could point me in the right direction.

im currently living with my granny and as far as i know this doesnt affect her housing benefit as she recieves DLA. in a few weeks time i will be moving in with my mummy on a temporary basis after i give birth.

we are trying to work out in what way it would affect my mummys housing benefit so that i could pick up any shortfall if there was one?

my mummy is a carer and receives IS/Carers allowance. im 22 and earn £17k if that matters?

any help would be appreciated. thank you.

Benefits_Bod

This assumes your mummy is aged under 60 and, if she has a partner, the partner is also under 60.

You won't like this... your mummy's HB and CTB will be subject to "non-dependant" deductions. In other words, her HB/CTB will be reduced.

If you work 16 hours per week on average (or more) and your earnings remain at £17,000 (gross) - equal to £326.92 per week - your mummy's HB will be reduced by £43.50 per week and CTB by £5.80 per week. If you have any other income, that is added to your earnings and if your total GROSS weekly income is greater than £382 the deduction is higher still - £47.75 / £6.95 (the current top level).

These are statutory amounts and the council cannot vary them. The government has also indicated a firm intention to increase these deductions from April 2011.

Your mummy *could* apply for Discretionary Housing Payments to top up the reduced HB/CTB, but the difficulty is such payments are as described - discretionary. Further, most council's will time limit such top-ups.

NB: If working and your hours are less than 16 per week (on average), the level of deductions will be £7.40 (HB) and £2.30 (CTB) per week - irrespective of the level of your earnings / income.

{Edited to make a couple of points clearer}

Vader123

It looks from BBs post above you will have to make up about £50 a week.

Not bad when you consider what help your mum can give with a new baby around! (Weight in gold).

Vader

dreambirdie

thank you for the quick reply!

dreambirdie

exactly vader! £200 is a total bargain compared to what im going to be paying for a private rental lol! i take it hosuing benefit will need some sort of proof of my earnings?

Benefits_Bod

dreambirdie wrote: »

i take it hosuing benefit will need some sort of proof of my earnings?

Yes - normally the last 2 months or 5 weeks (although it can be different). Bear in mind that, in law, it is your mummy's responsibility to tell the council when you move in and to provide details of any changes in circumstances that may affect her HB/CTB. So, if you have a change in circumstances (such as stopping work on maternity leave, or your income increases / decreases), tell your mum so that she can tell the council.

dreambirdie

ok will have to try and find my last 2 months payslips then! thanks very much for your help