Local Housing Allowance is being decreased - Now have to survive on £58 per week

AnxiousMum

Breast_Cancer_Survivor wrote: »

I've had no warning or information from the council at all but luckily I knew it was happening because I come on here.

I guess it's been in the papers too but even so the council should of kept people informed.

Wow.....I would've thought that people would've been notified - out of curiosity I went onto entitled to and put in some bogus figures - told me that today, I would qualify for 5 bedrooms, and LHA of £365 per week.....it then said that as of April, I would only qualify for 4 bedrooms and £235 per month - so definitely some shocks for people if they do not know that this change is coming!
However, being in a four bedroom at £900 per month - nice to know that if I ever lost my job and needed the help, that I would be able to remain in my current home until my children were older.

stayinganonymous

Breast_Cancer_Survivor wrote: »

I'm presuming that she lives in a property with more bedrooms that she is entitled to which is why she has such a large shortfall.

Could she move to a smaller property or rent out one of the spare rooms perhaps?

This is happening to everyone unfortunately.

No, she is living in a 1 bedroom property. I'll probably have to find the month extra per month for her. I just wanted to figure out how Local Housing Allowance worked out how much you are entitled to, I thought it was based on the £66 per week, obviously I was wrong.

AnxiousMum wrote: »

As there have been no changes in circumstances for your mother, I would assume that the 'change' taking place 'next month' would be the same change that is taking place for everybody?

I would assume so. Alot of people are going to be unable to pay their regular household bills.

AnxiousMum wrote: »

Commencing in April, aren't the amounts being paid by LHA being reduced to a lower average rental for the area? This is happening all over the country, with maximum allowable rates being enforced, and the five bedroom rate done away with altogether.

Have LHA recipients been given no warning of this?

When my mum spoke to them on the phone she asked why she wasn't informed and the lady just said their computers are now updating with all the info and letter should arrive soon.

sonorman

There has been too much of this with people living in £1m properties funded by the taxpayer. For one person she should really be looking at a cheaper area or maybe a houseshare.
She could live in a studio type property which is also cheaper.

I've had to pay my mortgage every month with no help from anybody else which is now paid off. So surely I shouldn't be expected to subsidise others who decide that they want to live in a property way beyond their means.

stayinganonymous

TOBRUK wrote: »

I have not yet received a letter regarding the reduction in mortgage interest payments which came into force last October! If I hadn't taken in the last budget and someone who keeps up to date in politics and news ... I wouldn't have known! So I wouldn't be surprised if people haven't been notified of the changes in housing benefit!!;)

Some people are going to have a shock then!

TOBRUK wrote: »

I'm afraid there will be many posts like this in the near future! It will be very hard for some as there aren't enough social housing around for people to move to more affordable housing!

I agree, whatever way you turn there is always a problem. As my mum is single, no children she wouldn't be classed as priority for a council property either. As now they go by a points scheme? I think anyway.

KxMx

It may be well worth while her bidding for council flats, I am familiar with Ipswich and there are some of them about.

No harm in trying is there!

RAS

Hi

Your mother's problem is that she needs to work for 30 hours a week to get working tax credit, although after APRIL 1 i THINK THIS REDUCES TO 18 HOURS A WEEK for those over 60 years old.

stayinganonymous

sonorman wrote: »

There has been too much of this with people living in £1m properties funded by the taxpayer. For one person she should really be looking at a cheaper area or maybe a houseshare.
She could live in a studio type property which is also cheaper.

I've had to pay my mortgage every month with no help from anybody else which is now paid off. So surely I shouldn't be expected to subsidise others who decide that they want to live in a property way beyond their means.

I knew a reply like this would come along

My mum had 3 kids, brought them up while my dad worked. Once they were old enough to care for themself she got a job too, split up with my dad and had no rights to the house because she wasn't on the rent book. Had no money or savings to her name so applied for help with her rent. My mum WOULD get a better job if she could, she has no qualifications and has no CAR to get to work so is restricted to finding something local. Things are just too expensive now, trains, cars, bus fare... you really do need to earn quite a bit of money to pay out for rent, council tax, electric, water, gas and food.

AnxiousMum

sonorman wrote: »

There has been too much of this with people living in £1m properties funded by the taxpayer. For one person she should really be looking at a cheaper area or maybe a houseshare.
She could live in a studio type property which is also cheaper.

I've had to pay my mortgage every month with no help from anybody else which is now paid off. So surely I shouldn't be expected to subsidise others who decide that they want to live in a property way beyond their means.

Congratulations on being healthy, able to work, not forced into vacating your home due to redundancy etc. Well done to you. However, this board is for helping people, not bragging at how perfect and wonderful you are. I'm sure you have other flaws which the OP's mother does not.

ETA: Personally, I'm very glad that I live in a country that would make sure I could carry on living in decent accommodation should any of the above happen to me, and that my kids and I would not be out on the street.

stayinganonymous

KxMx wrote: »

It may be well worth while her bidding for council flats, I am familiar with Ipswich and there are some of them about.

No harm in trying is there!

Definitely no harm in trying! She's gonna do that, although she isn't going to have as much priority as a single mum or disabled person. She's just struggling that's all and I don't blame her for being worried. I'll have to help her out with the extra rent until we can figure something out.

RAS wrote: »

Hi

Your mother's problem is that she needs to work for 30 hours a week to get working tax credit, although after APRIL 1 i THINK THIS REDUCES TO 18 HOURS A WEEK for those over 60 years old.

Yes I thought it was about 30 hours per week. My mum works 20 hours a week. Oooh, not quite 60 yet though

Breast_Cancer_Survivor

stayinganonymous wrote: »

I was trying to say, if someone on JSA was in a privately rented property they would get to live on their £66 per week for food, electric, gas and water (unless that isn't true? I haven't a clue... that's why I am asking)... so I thought that because the government thinks that's what an adult over 25 can survive on then she would be left with that amount. I'm aware they will only allow so much, but she's within that range... I could understand if her rent was £600+.

Even people on JSA will have to top up their rent if there is a shortfall or move to a smaller/cheaper property.

Unless they have a council house of course although I believe that may be changing soon if they have more bedrooms than then actually need.