Housing Benefit with non fixed income

Buttercup1972

Hi

How is housing benefit worked out when there is a non dependant who works but doesn't receive a fixed income. i.e different hours each week or commission based income?

I understand that if the difference isn't too much then you will stay in the same bracket, however what happens if the non dependant earns e.g. £130 one week, £280 the next week then back to £130 the next??

If anyone could help it would be much appreciated.

thanks

MaggotAJ

I think that the calculation will be based on the person's earnings in the previous financial year. If they are still in the same job then it should give a fairly accurate earnings estimate. The only downside with this is that it may mean that they owe some money come the end of the financial year.

MaggotAJ

Looks like I was wrong. I have found some info on the DWP site saying that they average your HB on your previous 2 months earnings. Unforutately I cant provide you with a link to the relevant page as the forum wont allow me to.

MaggotAJ

dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/technical-guidance/rr2-a-guide-to-housing-benefit/working-it-out/income-and-capital/

MaggotAJ

Juat add the three W's first and that link should have all the info you need. It seems like it might be a bit time consuming and involve paper chasing if you have an irregular income.

kst101

I have a completely irregular income (work for several different places at different times of year) and handed in about 6 supplementary sheets trying to explain it all with my HB claim. Shall wait and see what happens. Would be simpler if I had one regular job I suppose but I do like the flexibility of what I do.

fluffymovie

When calculating earnings, we try to gain an average wage. In normal wages cases, this means that we use your most recent 2 months / 5 weeks / 3 fortnightly payslips.

However, if the earnings are erratic, we can use them week by week. The issue with this comes when it makes a change to your CTB particularly as you can end up receiving a new CT bill each time your benefit is adjusted.