Catch 22, Housing Benefit

intranicity

nannytone wrote: »

you want to buy a house KNOWING you ccant afford it without taxpayer subsidies!

No, I want security mate, I fully appreciate where you're coming from though, I guess I'll just carry on paying other people mortgages for them for the next 30, 40, maybe 50 years....

If I was paying a mortgage, my house could in theory be paid for in say 25 years, I'm sure if you do the math, that would probably save the taxpayer maybe upwards of £250,000 if I lived to be 95.... And as I said in reply to another post, I'd be more than happy for the Council to re-coop their money when I die, so, It could even save much more.

Sadly, the system is inflexible and as I said, I guess the system wasn't put in place for people like me

fluffymovie

Hi there

Am sorry to hear that your condition has worsened. I think if I understand correctly, you are not asking for any extra money, just musing as to how you would ever get on the property ladder which is what I was brough up to think was the target. Apologies if I have misunderstood.

For ex service personnel, there are specific housing projects in certain areas which offer cheaper accommodation. I worked in HB in the Hampshire area and know of 1 there?

You should also make sure that you are on the housing list as if you are classed as disabled, you may have more points and find it easier to bid on properties with more points.

You can also look into Shared Ownership where you own part of a property and rent the remainder. You could then claim Housing Benefit on the rental part and Council Tax Benefit against your council tax.

As regards some posters comments, I work within the welfare state and see people every day who have never, nor will ever, contribute to the state in any financial way. The poster has tried, been injured and now needs the support of his country not the criticism of those luckily enough to have found themselves in a position of not needing this help...yet.

I will get down from my soapbox now! Apologies for any upset!

nannytone_2

i understand what youre saying too!
it probably would be cheaper to the taxpayer in the long run, but............you would then have a personal asset that has been gained using taxpayer subsidies.

if you wanted the equivalent amount of money as housing benefit paiud towards a mortgage and then after you died the house then reverted to the public purse, I wouldnt be so against it. but that wouldnt happen, it would go as inheritance to the people you left behind!

intranicity

nannytone wrote: »

i understand what youre saying too!
it probably would be cheaper to the taxpayer in the long run, but............you would then have a personal asset that has been gained using taxpayer subsidies.

if you wanted the equivalent amount of money as housing benefit paiud towards a mortgage and then after you died the house then reverted to the public purse, I wouldnt be so against it. but that wouldnt happen, it would go as inheritance to the people you left behind!

Shame you don't read what I have now written on here twice....

Quote:
Originally Posted by blue_monkey
Would you still be interested if they did pay your mortgage but then, when the house is sold or when you died, they had a charge on the property to reclaim the money they gave you towards it?
Thanks for the reply. In answer to that question, yes I would, I would have much more security than a short term tenancy gives me, I've had to move twice in 3 years already and it is very expensive, not just moving but also paying off and then resupplying things like the Telephone that usually tie you into 18 month contracts, paying out a new deposit whilst waiting to get the last one back. I also pay considerably more for my rent than I get in benefit (My choice, I want to live somewhere decent and where I feel safe and not risk getting mugged lol)

In the end, I'm lucky that I get the benefit and not stuck in a one bed bedsit, and I guess HB isn't really aimed at people like me who will be on it for life?

Quote:
Originally Posted by nannytone
you want to buy a house KNOWING you ccant afford it without taxpayer subsidies!
No, I want security mate, I fully appreciate where you're coming from though, I guess I'll just carry on paying other people mortgages for them for the next 30, 40, maybe 50 years....

If I was paying a mortgage, my house could in theory be paid for in say 25 years, I'm sure if you do the math, that would probably save the taxpayer maybe upwards of £250,000 if I lived to be 95.... And as I said in reply to another post, I'd be more than happy for the Council to re-coop their money when I die, so, It could even save much more.

Sadly, the system is inflexible and as I said, I guess the system wasn't put in place for people like me
Today 2:22 PM

Thanks for your time anyway :beer:

intranicity

fluffymovie wrote: »

Hi there

Am sorry to hear that your condition has worsened. I think if I understand correctly, you are not asking for any extra money, just musing as to how you would ever get on the property ladder which is what I was brough up to think was the target. Apologies if I have misunderstood.

For ex service personnel, there are specific housing projects in certain areas which offer cheaper accommodation. I worked in HB in the Hampshire area and know of 1 there?

You should also make sure that you are on the housing list as if you are classed as disabled, you may have more points and find it easier to bid on properties with more points.

You can also look into Shared Ownership where you own part of a property and rent the remainder. You could then claim Housing Benefit on the rental part and Council Tax Benefit against your council tax.

As regards some posters comments, I work within the welfare state and see people every day who have never, nor will ever, contribute to the state in any financial way. The poster has tried, been injured and now needs the support of his country not the criticism of those luckily enough to have found themselves in a position of not needing this help...yet.

I will get down from my soapbox now! Apologies for any upset!

Thanks for that mate, thats exactly what I was trying to find out, and thanks for the support, great soapbox lol :T:T:T

I'll have a chat with my local council and see if they do anything along those lines in my area, thankfully, they are helpful from past experience. Once again thanks

Sixer

intranicity wrote: »

Catch 22 again sadly lol, I used to work, but over the years I've done further damage and now I've been advised that I need to face reality and take things easier. My WP is now at the 60% rate, and I get War Pensioners Unemployabilty Supplement because they agree I am permanently unable to work due to my pensionable injury.

So I work, lose the Unemployability Sup and almost certainly end up worse, but I might be able to get a mortgage, but I wouldn't get illness cover on it, and no doubt end up losing the house as I would own a house and not be entitled to Housing benefit anyway, and no way of paying it.

Oh well, there's lots worse off than me, I'd just like some security I guess, but we all want things we can't always get

Ah. I'm sorry then, yes, I think you're right. What's the unemployability supp these days? About £100 a week? Working from home at one of the jobs I suggested probably wouldn't be profitable.

In that case, then I would investigate all possible opportunities (vet charities included) at getting into registered social landlord properties.

I understand exactly what you are saying: you don't want an asset; you want a secure and permanent home, but a mortgage seems to be the only way to that. Do look at what being's done for ex-service personnel in your local area.

And good luck.

Sixer

fluffymovie wrote: »

As regards some posters comments, I work within the welfare state and see people every day who have never, nor will ever, contribute to the state in any financial way. The poster has tried, been injured and now needs the support of his country not the criticism of those luckily enough to have found themselves in a position of not needing this help...yet.

Indeed. Presumably, were the OP not disabled by injury in service, he would be able to work, earn, and pay for a mortgage. He's in insecure accommodation because he's been injured in service. I think people like him should be top of the housing lists for secure tenancy accommodation.

intranicity

Sixer wrote: »

Ah. I'm sorry then, yes, I think you're right. What's the unemployability supp these days? About £100 a week? Working from home at one of the jobs I suggested probably wouldn't be profitable.

Nearly, £95.60

Thanks for the advise, I will look into it, I need to do something as my HB will go down in December to the 30% of average costs from the present 50%, and as I already pay nearly £200 from my pension to rent the house I'm in, there is a big chance I won't be able to afford where I am anyway.

I'll see what is available to me on the social housing side, looks like that is my best and possible only option, shared housing sound interesting too, so lots of reading to do. Thanks again :beer:

Jowo_2

Get in touch with an organisation like the Royal Legion or similar, who offer welfare and housing advice for ex service personnel. The link below is a good starting point.

There are definately quite a number of social or charity housing providers who seek tenants from those with Armed Forces background and many will prioritise those with health/disability issues.

Social housing providers in general award higher priority to applicants with health problems.

Don't feel guilty about receiving benefits - they are precisely there for those in need, however long they are in need.

My understanding is there (is/was) a way that people receiving disability benefits could apply for a mortgage and have their benefits taken into account but I don't know much about how this operates/used to operate. There are a lot of downsides to home ownership for those on low income, including how to cope with repair costs and the impact of changes to the benefit system on the claimant's income.

Shared ownership schemes have a very poor reputation, lots of constraints - readd up on the issues on the housing forum.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_family/home_and_neighbourhood_index_ew/finding_a_place_to_live_index_ew/housing_options_for_people_leaving_the_armed_forces_veterans_and_their_families.htm

viktory

It should be borne in mind that home ownership can be a very risky option. If you do not pay your mortgage; for whatever reason; you could be homeless - far quicker than a landlord might evict. If the boiler/roof or whatever needs replacing you will have to pay to have it repaired. You'll have additional costs such as buildings insurance. If you buy a flat you'll have service and major works charges to consider - the service charges aren't too bad - but major works bills can and do run into tens of thousands of pounds. Lots to consider.