What's an acceptable amount of board??

counting4christmas

Thanks Holidaymad. It's £55 for a 1 bedroom with shared facilities in my area however it's £98 for a 2 bedroom house, I read somewhere on here that he OR allows LHA + 25% though

HOLIDAYMAD_2

That rate as you said applies to a room in a shared house or those that are single and under the age of 25 years, if your over the age of 25 years you can claim more than the shared room rate. ie the one bed rate in my area that is 129 pound, shared room rate is 70 pound per week. But if your in a shared house you can only get the shared room rate, but if your single and over 25 in private housing then you can get the allowance for a one bedroom rate, if you have children the household size etc increases as does the allowance.

Those amounts are based on someone receiving the max amount of HB, if your a person not receiving benefit you can pay what you like etc.

Direct gov does have the LHA rates for a one bed plus dwelling etc on, as they are updated each month.

For all new claims there are big changes ahead from April, (1). HB is being reduced and (2) the DHP - a top up amount is being scrapped , there are roll out periods for those with exisiting claims but changes are from the start for all new claims.

I suspect the OR allowed a extra 25 percent as it would be grounds to receive the DHP (top up amount) due to hardship as a bankrupt, (there was no right to this though, it was discrentary ) but that will go so i suspect his ruling or additional allowance will also change.

Are you moving in with someone, because i suppose your costs would be as they deem you ie a lodger , relative etc, ie if i rented a room in a friends house they would expect a decent return to make it worth there while to have me there, and i would be a lodger yet if i moved in with my dad he would only charge me what he would need, so i suppose the cirs of the person you are moving in and the purpose of being there will determine what is acceptable or not.

i hope that makes sence, welfare benefits and rules are complex to explain simply.

MyMFDream

Sorry to interfear but why would your mum be losing her WTC by you moving in?? Even although you will be sharing an address you are classed as seperate households for tax credit purposes.

HOLIDAYMAD_2

There are some rules about reduction in benefits if a 2nd person moves in, these are really complex and i thought only appied to the elderly for pension credits and not WTC.
However if mum is getting HB , she will be expected to pay a non-dependant charge dependant on your gross income for rent and council tax and that can be as high as near on 50 pound per week if your gross is over 350 etc.
They are exact figures as have not checked but check applicable amounts and non- dep charges for HB and CTB online

If mum gets some dla or AA then these can be disregarded.

counting4christmas

Hi all

Thanks for helping - my mum works full time but claims a minimal amount WTC due to her wages being really low. The house is mortgaged in her name and she claims no other benefits except for her single persons discount on the council tax.

To be honest my mum has really been struggling living on her own and I want to try and help her as much as possible however I know that can't be at the expense of my creditors so I just wanted to try and establish a reasonable amount between me paying towards the household and the OR thinking I'm taking the mickey.

Tbh the I've not spoken to the OR but he sounds like he will terrify me I'm really conscious to not push my luck but to claim for what I can

mel12

Hi,
She will lose the single person council tax discount, but your moving in shouldn't affect the working tax credit.

HOLIDAYMAD_2

If you move in with your mum, you must declare it to the council because if not and they find out they add it on and can be like dirty flies around a corpse - i hate council tax and esp the baliffs as you can tell.

If your on some benefits then she will get what is called the 2nd adult rebate applied to her bill - this is in fact the most undeclared benefit in the UK- This is a benefit an does need to be evidenced.
if your working she will lose the 25 discount.

Look on spare room .co for infor of rooms with or without bills in your area, you will be shocked , renting is a very boyant market and renting rooms out is high revenue for landlords - 70 pound is easily spent .

Ineedaname

I think what HolidayMad was trying to say is that you should be entitled to the allowance for a two bed house as there is you and your child. However, you will not be living in your own 2 bed place but sharing your mum's house, effectively renting two rooms from her, probably inclusive of bills.

I would check the local papers and shop windows, see what people are charging to rent a room out, take an average and then add 50% for the extra room for your child. Advertised prices are usually inclusive of bills.

That should cover your mum's loss of CT discount and also the increase to gas and electric.

sst_2

Really useful thread, thanks everyone.

I'm in a similar position - although my son is only with me 50% of the time.

I pay £400 a month + bills + food.

HOLIDAYMAD_2

sorry i keep forgetting the child - but not so simple , you cannot claim benfits for commerical purposes, for HB renting from family you share facilities with , total disregard in Hb benefits however you can do this if your living seperately ie another dwelling from them but thats hard to prove - well it can but it takes some skill.

if your looking for a ball figure with benefits for the OR id say 110 pound per week for both of you inc bills.