Recently become single parent, housing benefit question.

lilacclaire

Hi, I have recently split from my partner and had to claim some housing benefit, I work 16 hrs a week and claim tax credits.
I am really struggling to manage and have asked my work for overtime which is now starting to happen. I have no idea if this will be regular, but every little helps.
Anyway, my question is how often is housing benefit tested, do I inform them when I am doing overtime?

cabbage

as its income based you need to let them know if your income increases/decreases every time.

lilacclaire

Thanks, hope I don't need to fill in the forms everytime, does anyone know if I can just go in with my wageslips?
Hopefully the extra shifts will continue anyway and I won't need to claim much longer, I only get £12 a week.

catz1ct

You wont need to fill in a new claim form. You should only need to go in with your wage slips, I would take a letter as well which states your name, address, claim number and the date your wages went up.

worried-me

to re-iterate what others have said. you should report and change however small. I always just call them and they are really helpful. And if need be I send what they ask for.

Sometimes if any changes in the amnount you receive will happen straight away but if i's to day with taxable pay then this usually does not happen until the next april when you fill in your year end; although you should tell them straight away.

Oldernotwiser

cabbage wrote: »

as its income based you need to let them know if your income increases/decreases every time.

All Housing Benefit is income based!

[Deleted User]

Then you will have to pay 65% of whatever extra money you earn towards your rent, as a rough guide, also your Tax Credits will be lower next Year, or this Year if you have yours assessed on current Year income.

lilacclaire

Thanks, i'll give them a call.
I won't actually get paid for any extra hours i've done until the end of February though and I really can't afford to pay full rent until I get my extra wages though, I suppose they can wait or hopefully they won't count it until I get paid the extra.

With regards to the tax credits, im now working more than 30 hours a week, although im not sure yet what it will take my wages up to until I get my wage slip at end of Feb, there won't be a huge difference to the end of year amount though as its happened so late in the tax year.