Housing Benefit Query

FrazzledMumof4

Hello all, am a newbie to posting but not to the forums.

Anyways, I find myself being in the unfortunate position of having to claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit and would like advice on the claiming process as I have never claimed anything like this before.

Brief background to my story:
After my divorce I received a settlement and for the past few years have lived off this in private rented accommodation with my 4 children. I worked full time as a legal assistant until recently when I had to give up due to my youngest having heart problems and my oldest being Autistic and needing more care. The savings have now run out and I need a little help, albeit temporarily, to help pay all the bills. And before you shout, I could not afford to buy a house with my settlement and I was not allowed council housing because I had too much in savings, I don't expect to get benefits forever, just until I am back on my feet and my children are well enough for me to go back out to work and earn a decent salary and give something back, I have worked all my life since leaving college and have never claimed before and it really scares me.

Can anyone offer me advice as to what to expect, as said before, I am a single mum of four children (I thought my marriage would last forever and while I was married, yes we could afford children) who finds myself in this predicament.

Many thanks for reading.

dmg24

We need more information before we can give a full answer - how old and what sex are your children, and do you claim DLA for any of them (and if so, at what rate)? What have you claimed since giving up work?

FrazzledMumof4

dmg24 wrote: »

We need more information before we can give a full answer - how old and what sex are your children, and do you claim DLA for any of them (and if so, at what rate)? What have you claimed since giving up work?

I have 4 children,all boys, aged 14, 10 (DLA at Middle rate care and lower rate mobility), 4 and 2. Currently get Tax Credits and DLA, maintenance paid by their father through Court Order.

Thanks for replying.

dmg24

You will need to claim Income Support and Carers Allowance, this will amount to approx £85 per week. You will be eligible for the three bedroom rate of LHA (this will be listed on your local council's website) and full CTB.

mum2six

I entered the benefits arena as a newbie 10 months ago. It almost drove me crazy figuring out how things went together. I would advise talking to the housing benefits people at your local council. Both of mine (I moved areas) were hugely helpful. They will confirm your bedroom allowance. Right now it's based on the average rent in your area. In March, with the new goverment changes, the rate will be capped at £350 for a 3 bedroom house and £400 for a 4 bedroom house/week. So, if you live in a more expensive area, then I would take the changes into account when deciding what to do. Ifr you first apply for Income Support (Job Centre) then you can take evidence of that along when applying for the housing and council benefit. Most councils have the forms available online to download and print - if not, they will post one to you.

FrazzledMumof4

Thank you for your help, I have contacted my local council and they are sending an officer round to see me and go through the forms with me. Think I prefer it this way as then they can see the house and all information they will need I can give there and then (must sort filing out). Possibly wishful thinking on my part but it is a start.
I didn't think I would be able to claim Income Support because I have too much coming in from Maintenance and Child Support? Will look into it though.
Carer's Allowance I will also look into, I had no idea I could claim this for my son, currently I use his DLA to pay for specialist clubs for him to attend and shoes he needs (he goes through a pair every 3-4 weeks!!).

C.C.L.

Carers allowance is around £54 per week, and you need to provide at least 35 hours a week care, also you can work whilst caring, but can't earn more than £100 per week.
Regarding child maintenance, this is no longer taken into account for benefits, so you can disregard this when calculating your entitlement.
I hope you manage to get sorted, good luck, C.C.L.