Housing Benefit

dawnie1972

I got made redundant on 31st October. Have never ever claimed any benefits in my life. My rent is extortionately high so applied for HB/CT benefit. Finally received a letter today informing me of their decision. Despite being told that I would get my full rent paid for the first 13 weeks they are not doing that, they are only paying me the LHA rate (£103.00), plus, they are not starting my claim until 8th Nov - I was weekly paid one week in arrears so did not get my last wage until 5th Nov despite physically not working that week - I think this is why they're not paying me for that week - can they do this? I'm basically left with £25/week to pay my electric, gas, water, car insurance etc etc and feed myself!

GlasweJen

Yes, there is no entitlement to full rent being paid, discretionary top ups are that- discretionary.

merlin68

Your only entitled to the maximum LHA rate anyway.

oldestrocker

dawnie1972 wrote: »

I got made redundant on 31st October. Have never ever claimed any benefits in my life. My rent is extortionately high so applied for HB/CT benefit. Finally received a letter today informing me of their decision. Despite being told that I would get my full rent paid for the first 13 weeks they are not doing that, they are only paying me the LHA rate (£103.00), plus, they are not starting my claim until 8th Nov - I was weekly paid one week in arrears so did not get my last wage until 5th Nov despite physically not working that week - I think this is why they're not paying me for that week - can they do this? I'm basically left with £25/week to pay my electric, gas, water, car insurance etc etc and feed myself!

Maybe now is the time to move to a cheaper property in a cheaper area?

dmg24

How long have you lived there OP? The thirteen week rule only applies if you have been able to pay the rent for the previous 52 weeks.

HappyMJ

It is possible but very very hard to live on £25 per week. You need to be extremely resourceful. You seem internet savvy so switch gas/electric using cashback sites to reduce those bills right down. The water bill can go unpaid and allowed to accrue until you get a job. Get rid of the insurance on the car and get a refund of the tax after SORN'ing or even selling the car. You don't work so have all the time in the day to walk and/or get buses everywhere. Food is the most difficult to cut down and the old-style boards here will help immensely. Basically what I'm saying is if you want to stay in your current place then stop spending.

As far as starting the claim on the 8th it starts on the Monday after they receive your application for HB which if you were made redundant on the 31st you probably applied on the 1st. The next Monday is the 8th.

fluffymovie

No the criteria for the 13 week rule is as follows:

If you could afford the rent when you moved in AND
You haven't been in receipt of Housing benefit in the past 52 weeks.

Also, your claim will usually start from the Monday following the date that they claim unless you are on a passported benefit such as JSA ib, income support but you can ask for it to be backdated if you can show good cause.

I would contact the LA and ask why they haven't given you the 13 week protection and you can ask for clarification on why your claim starts from 8th November but I expect your claim was received by them week commencing 1st November and your benefit starts from the following monday

real1314

As fluffy says, they may well have overlooked it. Nothing sinister, just a simple error from the infrequency of the criteria occurring.

Give them a call / drop in, ask them to sort it out asap. Any problems, post back on here?

dawnie1972

My elec/gas bills are the lowest they can be I did all the research when I moved in, re the car - I live in a rural village so without a car I can't get anywhere (we have one bus a day goes through the village!), and re the rent - have you tried finding somewhere to rent with 3 dogs??

merlin68

On £25 a week how are you going to run a car and keep 3 dogs?

dawnie1972

merlin68 wrote: »

On £25 a week how are you going to run a car and keep 3 dogs?

And pay my bills and feed myself - exactly!