Housing benefit and ALG

Morzor

Ok, I'm a 20 year old student in a technicaly part time course at college (they put it as 15 and a half hours so that we can claim certain benefits if we need, or the younger ones can claim EMA and ALG) and was recently forced out of his home.

After 2 months of being homeless I've just gotten a flat with the council. After totting up to see what I'm entitled to, they've told me they take into account the £30 a week ALG, as well as my last month of pay slips (which will average out my pay as being higher than it is, I'm only contracted to 4 hours a week but have had a lot of lucky overtime, BUT its a month in hand, and I haven't had any since since!) which I understand, obviously this is the system. But surely?

ALG cant be valued as a reliable income? What if I'm sick for a week? I miss £30! Thats a weeks shop and a gas in the meter? Its really getting to me and I've pretty much broken down. I've been threw in and the deep end and I'm just drowning. Does anyone have any advice on what I am entitled to, how I can earn extra money (I have been told my job want me to do overtime but Ive had to say no because the council told me I would actually be WORSE OFF WORKING MORE. Yes, A REPRESENTITIVES EXACT WORDS "You might want to look into leaving your job, you'd be much better off on benefits") without it affecting things too much and basically just any advice?!

This is my details at the minute.
4 hour a week contract at my job, £5.93 an hour.
£30 a week ALG not yet claimed! My contract has not been given to colleg yet until i know whats happening.
15 Hours a week in college (part time course, so I am entitled to housing benefit)

A representitive told me that with the above information I apply to get my full rent paid for and council tax. But I've worked out bills to be much more than what I will earn? Please, can someone just offer any help.

Oldernotwiser

If you're getting ALG then your course cannot technically be part time. Both EMA and ALG are only available for full time courses.

fluffymovie

I was just looking into this for you and found that for purposes of ALG, full time means 12/13 hours per week so I think OP is ok on this.

However, on Direct.gov, I found this

But you should be aware that any ALG payments you get will be taken into account when working out your entitlement to some of these forms of financial help. This applies to:

• Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit
• Discretionary Support Funds

When your local council is working out what Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit you’re entitled to, they can ignore the first £632 of your ALG payments over a year – but they don’t have to. Contact your local council to find out what their policy is.

This would suggest to me that the award is correct. However, if you are poorly and ALG is not paid, then if you tell the council, they may take it out for that week.

HTH

Oldernotwiser

fluffymovie wrote: »

I was just looking into this for you and found that for purposes of ALG, full time means 12/13 hours per week so I think OP is ok on this.


HTH

But surely a course can't be both full and part time in different contexts?

Morzor

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

But surely a course can't be both full and part time in different contexts?

I already knew about the 12 hour thing, so thats why i said it was part time, and yes, I agree, although at the minute this is how I'm living.

Morzor

fluffymovie wrote: »

I was just looking into this for you and found that for purposes of ALG, full time means 12/13 hours per week so I think OP is ok on this.

However, on Direct.gov, I found this


But you should be aware that any ALG payments you get will be taken into account when working out your entitlement to some of these forms of financial help. This applies to:

• Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit
• Discretionary Support Funds

When your local council is working out what Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit you’re entitled to, they can ignore the first £632 of your ALG payments over a year – but they don’t have to. Contact your local council to find out what their policy is.

This would suggest to me that the award is correct. However, if you are poorly and ALG is not paid, then if you tell the council, they may take it out for that week.

HTH

I already found this information earlier, but thank you anyway. So the £632 thing, does that imply that they can ignore it if I'm sick, or I can earn up to the cap before housing and council tax benefit stops AND claim my ALG? Thats what I don't get.

fluffymovie

You wouldn't think so would you ONW! However, for HB a full time student has to be studying more than 16 hours and for Ctax I think it is 21 so it does happen!

OP - I think the £632 is per year so disregarded from your overall ALG but you should really contact the council.

Your HB award will take into account all income and earnings so the £632 doesnt apply there as such,

Do you have a student finance officer who could assist at your college?