Housing Benefit guide Discussion Area

wirralman47

can you get help towards rent if you only work 16 hours a week

turkleton

Marisco - you are correct. Someone would qualify for 13 weeks protection if they could afford their rent when they moved in and haven't claimed HB in the last 52 weeks. Unfortunately the benefits system will never be fair and there will always be people who could make an argument for needing/wanting to stay in their home even if they cannot afford it.

Shazaroo - I'd advise your parents to contact their mortgage company to get evidence of their debts, otherwise there isn't a lot you can do. There's always the option to appeal but without proof you probably won't be successful.

Harvey115 - you can rent anywhere you like but HB will be assessed on your needs so if the rent is too high your parents will have to make up the difference. The local council website will show the LHA rates which will e the maximum you can receive.

Wirralman47 - HB is based on your earnings and capital so you could work 40hrs a week and still claim.

dodger1

Marisco wrote: »

Just a question out of curiosity really. If someone has been in a 1 bed flat for years, loses their job and has to claim HB, and the HB rate is such that they cannot afford the top up, will they have to move into shared accommodation? This can't be right can it? You cannot expect mature people to house/flat share surely? I can see the sense in this to discourage people on benefits not to have large families, or to stop people moving into areas they wouldn't be able to afford if working, with HB picking up the tab. But there should be some sort of "selection" process, not just lumping everyone together!!!

Shared accommodation shouldn't be necessary. In theory under the new regulations 30% of available 1 bed flats should still be at or below the LHA rate.

jimbo-81

shazaroo wrote: »

My parents sold their house to me 3 years ago and now rent it from me as they were unable to pay the mortgage paymnets at that time. they have no savings and only get pension credits as their only income and are both retired, the rent covers the interest only mortgage payment on the property so no financial gain. Pension credit told them to apply for housing benefit and they have now been told they cannot claim as it was their previous property and they cannot prove how much debt they where in 3 years ago? They don't have any evidence as everything shredded, what can they do? Is there anything they can do????
Help!!:eek:

I don't think there is anything they can do, but move out and you rent the property to someone else.

They would then be entitled to housing benefit at the LHA rate.

Theboyinthemist

Can anyone help, I currently receive full LHA as I am on Income Support due to long term Metal Illness and another Illness which is classifies me as Disabled.
I am 31 and when my LHA is reviewed in Nov 2011 i will get the additional 9 months. Now, to the best of my knowledge the only way I can be exempt from the under 35 rule is if i am in receipt of the 'Severe Disability Premium'.
I have spoken to people at my local housing office and council, but the sheer ignorance and poor attitude has left me distraught, as these are the people who are supposed to be assisting me and are in very important positions.
I have recently asked for DLA forms to be sent to me as i have issues with mobility & i require assistance and care regarding my mental health. I haven't requested them previously mostly because of the stigma and negative attitude towards people on benefits but i realise they are there for people who need them like myself & could effectively prevent me from being homeless once again.
Has or is anyone else soon to affected by the upcoming changes??? And in your experience is it as black and white as it says, which is basically: If you don't receive the 'Severe Disability Premium' it's tough luck, irrespective of your vulnerability and needs???

bobajob_1966

Theboyinthemist wrote: »

Can anyone help, I currently receive full LHA as I am on Income Support due to long term Metal Illness and another Illness which is classifies me as Disabled.
I am 31 and when my LHA is reviewed in Nov 2011 i will get the additional 9 months. Now, to the best of my knowledge the only way I can be exempt from the under 35 rule is if i am in receipt of the 'Severe Disability Premium'.
I have spoken to people at my local housing office and council, but the sheer ignorance and poor attitude has left me distraught, as these are the people who are supposed to be assisting me and are in very important positions.
I have recently asked for DLA forms to be sent to me as i have issues with mobility & i require assistance and care regarding my mental health. I haven't requested them previously mostly because of the stigma and negative attitude towards people on benefits but i realise they are there for people who need them like myself & could effectively prevent me from being homeless once again.
Has or is anyone else soon to affected by the upcoming changes??? And in your experience is it as black and white as it says, which is basically: If you don't receive the 'Severe Disability Premium' it's tough luck, irrespective of your vulnerability and needs???

You have already asked this question on your own thread.

janibrown

I am living with parents at the moment short term but have been offered to share a house with a friend close by they want £75 ppw I am 36 years old and wont have children with me I am on employment and support allowence at the moment has any one any idea if that seems like a fair amount to pay and if I would get housing benefit for that amount or is it too much for them to pay?

pandaspot

it seems reasonable to me, best thing to do is check your lha rates on here https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/search.aspx

this will show you what the maximum hb you can get. are you on the income based esa? if you will be entitled to the maximum hb

if there is any shortfall then you can apply for a discretionary housing payment or dhp for short

just make sure you get a tenancy agreement and a rent book

john539

The LHA system is now out of step with the real market, since LHA claims are only updated once a year while rents continue to rise.

Private sector rents 'at new high'

This was not the way it was meant to be, since by removing the excess people could keep and absorb any rent increase before their LHA claim was updated annually.

RockGypsy

Just a quick question,does a single person get the same amount of housing benefit as a couple or do a couple get more? Just wondering as my boyfriend lives with his parents and they are overcrowded,we are thinking of renting privately together, I've no idea as I've always been in council property,and never lived with a partner before.