Friend Staying & Housing benefit

char22

hi all, just a quickie

I currently claim housing benefit and council tax benefit. My friend is about to be made homeless and asked if she can stay on my sofa for a couple of nights until the council sort her out a hostal or temporary accomodation. Presumably the coucil will contact me to confirm that she is infact staying here, she will give me no money (i wouldn't take it) Do i have to tell housing benefit that she is staying with me ? She claims income support (has three children ) i am self employed , I just don't want them to think i am getting extra income from her cause i won't be ?
Many thanks
char x

melbi_uk

To be kind to your friend I'd not let her stay with you. If she is in a hostel they will re-home her much quicker.

Yes, you have to inform them of any changes.

char22

yes, i see what your saying , thats what i thought really

melbi_uk

Otherwise you will end up going down the road of proving overcrowding etc.

They won't be under as much pressure if she has a roof over her head and I don't know but am quite sure it would affect your HB and CTB.

Do you really want to go through all the paperwork and disruption it would cause?

Help her by letting her go into a hostel for a couple of weeks and you will both be happier and less hassle.

Good luck

baza52

if its temporary for a few nights and is a "one off" then no need to tell them.

melbi_uk

char22 wrote: »

hi all, just a quickie

I currently claim housing benefit and council tax benefit. My friend is about to be made homeless and asked if she can stay on my sofa for a couple of nights until the council sort her out a hostal or temporary accomodation. Presumably the coucil will contact me to confirm that she is infact staying here, she will give me no money (i wouldn't take it) Do i have to tell housing benefit that she is staying with me ? She claims income support (has three children ) i am self employed , I just don't want them to think i am getting extra income from her cause i won't be ?
Many thanks
char x

Just wondering now

Will you be able to afford to take no money from your friend if she ends up staying longer than you expect?

What about your heating bill? With 3 children that will be 4 more baths or showers a day, more use of cooking etc.

Washing machine would be on more........

If you don't offer her a place the council will have to find her a hostel and although they don't sound like very nice places, it will help her get a place much quicker because she has 3 children.

melbi_uk

Another thing, she will no longer be seen as homeless.

I'd think very, very carefully before you take her in for all your benefits.

Oldernotwiser

That sounds like a jolly big sofa!

char22

melbi_uk wrote: »

Just wondering now

Will you be able to afford to take no money from your friend if she ends up staying longer than you expect?

What about your heating bill? With 3 children that will be 4 more baths or showers a day, more use of cooking etc.

Washing machine would be on more........

If you don't offer her a place the council will have to find her a hostel and although they don't sound like very nice places, it will help her get a place much quicker because she has 3 children.

To be honest i proberly would struggle while she was here moneywise, but shes my mate, a few sacrifices ain't gonna hurt .

I started off in a hostel with my daughter and know how not nice it was , which is why i was gonna let her stay.

I was in the hostel 6 months before i ended up getting private accomodation because it was unbearable.

Gonna speak to her today, as if shes not classed as homeless if she stays here she'll be here forever.

And no i don't have a big sofa LOL, i could really do with one cause i've got three kiddies as well

thanks for all your help