housing benefit confusion, please help

BigAunty

katrina123 wrote: »

when were other Single Claimants told by their council about the Shared Rate change? Jan/Feb 2012?

I couldn't answer that question but I do believe that the change in the age threshold for a 1 bedroom LHA rate was announced back in October 2010.

At the time of the earlier emergency budget in June 2010, there was a proposal (now scrapped) that from April 2013, housing benefit would be reduced to 90% of the initial award after a claimant has received JSA for 12 months.

DylanO

katrina123 wrote: »

when were other Single Claimants told by their council about the Shared Rate change? Jan/Feb 2012?

It has been well-known for more than a year.

katrina123

DylanO wrote: »

It has been well-known for more than a year.

i dont understand.
CAB told us the new rate would be £98 per week for single, this was a few months ago.
And Council also said £98 per week is new rate, in dec 2011, via letter.

Should be consider legal help/solicitor, as this in affect means 1 month preparation time to deal with this and move or get in debt.
also misinformation.

So all single under 35 yr olds are on shared rate in UK?
GVT website is still saying 32 year old single allows 1 bedroom rate. Is this incorrect then? (using their online calculators)

BigAunty

What GVT website?

If you mean the Direct Gov website, it says the following

"When you don’t need to use the bedroom calculator
For couples and single people claiming under certain circumstances the number of bedrooms you are entitled to is fixed.

When using ‘Find Local Housing Allowance rates’ choose the ‘Shared accommodation’ rate if one or more of the below applies:

• you are one of a couple, don’t live with dependants and rent a room in a shared home
• you are 34 years or younger and live alone (there are exemptions for severely disabled people, care leavers under 22 years of age or those with a bedroom used by care workers providing overnight care)
• you are 35 years or over and rent a room for your sole use in a shared home

Choose the '1 bedroom' rate if you are 35 years or over and rent a self-contained property (eg a whole flat or house)."

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DG_196239


Have you actually checked with the local council to find out if the transitionary period is still ongoing or has expired?

Shelter have published a guide on this. When did her housing benefit claim begin?

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/paying_for_a_home/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/housing_benefit_if_you_are_under_35#2

I doubt your daughter would qualify for any free legal support to challenge the communication issue but she could check with the Citizens Advice Bureau.

There are exceptions to the LHA rule for the under 35s, for example, for the severely disabled, some addicts and sex offenders.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/paying_for_a_home/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/housing_benefit_if_you_are_under_35

emsywoo123

katrina123 wrote: »

i dont understand.
CAB told us the new rate would be £98 per week for single, this was a few months ago.
And Council also said £98 per week is new rate, in dec 2011, via letter.

Should be consider legal help/solicitor, as this in affect means 1 month preparation time to deal with this and move or get in debt.
also misinformation.

So all single under 35 yr olds are on shared rate in UK?
GVT website is still saying 32 year old single allows 1 bedroom rate. Is this incorrect then? (using their online calculators)

Yes, the 1 bed room rate has probably changed, hence the £5 discrepancy, but that will not affect her as she will no longer qualify for 1 bed rates......

katrina123

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DG_196239
Council said 9 months has expired this month, so new shared rate begins this month. (phone call).

Dunroamin

katrina123 wrote: »

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DG_196239
Council said 9 months has expired this month, so new shared rate begins this month. (phone call).

That's what everybody here's been telling you.

BigAunty

So she'd best follow the advice on the Shelter and MSE website to avoid arrears. Can she move back home with you until she finds employment?

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/debt_and_arrears/rent_arrears

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/paying_for_a_home/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/housing_benefit_if_you_are_under_35#3

What can I do?

• First, work out if the new rules apply to you.
• If they do, work out what date they will take effect.
• Work out how much extra you need to pay your rent.
• Look at your budget – can you find ways to increase your income or decrease your costs?

You can find out the amount of the shared accommodation rate in your area using the LHA calculator.
If the sums don’t add up and you can’t afford to pay the rent, to avoid a shortfall, rent arrears and possible eviction, you may have to move to shared accommodation.
You could try to claim a discretionary housing payment if the change causes you hardship and it’s difficult for you to move, but even if this is granted, it is likely to be only a short term solution.

katrina123

thanks all.
Not happy to be honest, council did not inform us of this change.
All we were told of was single rate is reducing eg less £5 per week.
That was manageable. Now the bombshell news that you have to find £49 per week extra.

BigAunty

katrina123 wrote: »

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DG_196239

That web page said the room calculator wasn't appropriate for anyone under 35 and to just use the shared room rate, though it would have been better if they amended the calculator itself.