housing benefit for single person

swingaloo

I know housing benefit is worked out taking into consideration the local area rates and also the family situation.

I need to find out approx how much a single person could possibly be entitled to. The person is living in rented property now and has been getting housing benefit as he is not able to work for mental health reasons. The house he has been living in is in a dreadful area and is full of damp and in bad repair so he would like to be able to move. How would he stand if he applied for a different property.
I have tried to help but cant find the information on the local authority website.

Can anyone advise please.

theartfullodger

How old is he?? HB for those up to 34 have just been reduced by that nice Mr Cameron & Mr Clegg...they now get a rate for a room in a shared house rather than a one-bed-bed-sit...

see general advice here...
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_192415

most councils publish the rates for their areas - try a couple close??

swingaloo

Thank you for the link, I have just taken a look. I still cant really find the answers I need though.
The person in question is actually my brother and he is in quite a bad way.

He lost his home after his wife left him, got reaaly ill and went downhill mentally very quickly. He went into a hostel for a few nights as advised by the CAB as he is now single with no dependants.
He was then given housing benefit and rented a 2 bed terraced house from a private rental company. The thing is that he is away from family, the house is in a terrible state of repair and he dosnt seem to have the will to challenge the landlord to get repairs done. He cant handle anything really, dosnt open his mail or answer his phone or door. He is seeing a doctor and therapist but they dont seem to be helping other than pumping him full of pills. He never cooks and stays in bed most of the day.

Family do try to help but he dosnt accept help very well. He hardly ever leaves the house and has broken off old friendships.

We know he is in debt, we also know his rent is 470 a month but we dont know how much is paid by housing benefit. We are seriously worried about his future but obviously cant force him to accept our help.

However my sis and I have been wondering if we could suggest him moving to a property nearer to us, he would have company if he needed or wanted it and we could also take him round the odd cooked meal. Sort of look after him without pressuring him.

Before we bring the subject up with him we wanted to see if it was feasable because of all the changes and neither of us having rental experience. We dont want to suggest something he may like to do and then find out he would be worse off.

I suppose what Im asking is - If he gives his house up to move areas would they turn round and say that now because of the changes he would not be entitled to the same level of help as he gets now? I dont think he could cope at all if he had to go into a shared house.

He is 50 years old and 10 years ago he was happily married (obviously his wife wasnt!!!!) and living in his own home. Now hes shambling around looking 20 years older than he is and we are so worried that hes going to turn into one of those people you read about in the paper whos been found in a house full of unopened mail with neighbours saying they thought he was strange.

Its heartbreaking really.

snugglepet20

I don't know about rates for private rented but I do know that housing association and council property rents are always considered 'fair'. This means that housing benefit will always cover the cost of rent for those properties. So if you can get him a one bed flat or maybe some supported housing you should be sorted.

swingaloo

Thank you snugglepet. We have looked into that but he would have to wait years for a council property, he is nowhere near meeting the points criteria, likewise hank you for the suggestion though.

Terrysdelight

Hi

If you click on the link below, you can calculate how much your brother is entitled to. Basically it will be the rate for a one bedroom property in the area. You will have to type in borough or postal code.

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

It sounds like your brother is quite depressed. It could be well worth going along to his GP with him. I wish him well.

SouthCoast

And from this site:

Mental Health & Debt Guide

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cards/mental-health-guide

jenhug

try local council website and search benefit calculator.