Housing Benefit-Student Finance

mikeyburnsey

Now she will be paying £125 per month, no we live in a two bedroom bungalow, as we have done for the last 18 months

Oldernotwiser

mikeyburnsey wrote: »

Now she will be paying £125 per month, no we live in a two bedroom bungalow, as we have done for the last 18 months

Unless you have another child, you'll now only be eligible for the LHA rate for 1 bed accommodation rather than 2 bed. Could this explain the difference?

mikeyburnsey

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Unless you have another child, you'll now only be eligible for the LHA rate for 1 bed accommodation rather than 2 bed. Could this explain the difference?

But if we had a 1 bedroom, that would mean my youngest daughter and my wife& I sleeping in the same room.

I now understand what you was saying, yes we do have a younger daughter, so no it can't be that

bestpud

Is your dd planning to stay at home while she studies?

mikeyburnsey

bestpud wrote: »

Is your dd planning to stay at home while she studies?

Yes, she is, Why?

fluffymovie

I don't think the LA have dropped you down as you have stated that they are treating your daughter as a non dep. However, there is a recent commissioners decision regarding students who are absent from home in the term time and whether the LA should treat them as temporarily absent or remove them from the home full stop.

I think the issue is primarily, that they aren't including her as a dependent in the calculation of your applicable amount which is the amount of money the Govt say you need to live on. If I can demonstrate the difference?

Couple - £102.75
2 dependent children - £57.57 x 2
Family Premium - £17.40
Total you need to live on £235.29

Couple - £102.75
1 dependent child - £57.57
Family premium - £17.40
Total you need to live on £177.72

If your income is below this amount, you get full HB but if it is above, then we apply tapers etc.

But you can see what a big difference it makes. If your daughter had turned 18 and started work, it would be worse as we would assume a non dependent deduction of up to £47.75 per week. As a student, and assuming they consider she still is part of your household, we don't apply a deduction but you don't get the amount in the applicable amount.

Hope this makes sense