Friend moving in - effect on benefits?

cifpower

I have asked a friend who works full time to move into my rented flat with me as I no longer want to live on my own due to my mental health issus. How will this affect me? I am currently in receipt of:

Incapacity Benefit
Income Support
DLA - mobility (low)
- care (medium)
Housing Benefit

thanks in advance

Fran

If they are a non dependant (ie. you are not partners) then a non dependant deduction will be made from your Housing Benefitl. This is worked out in bands depending on friend's income. If they have a high income it can be particularly unfair as it could come to over half the rent. You will be expected to ask him/her for the shortfall in rent.

cifpower

I was told by Housing Benefit that, as I receive medium care DLA, no non-dependant deductions are taken from my HB. Has this changed?

Fran

cifpower wrote:

I was told by Housing Benefit that, as I receive medium care DLA, no non-dependant deductions are taken from my HB. Has this changed?

Probably not, that's good then.

cifpower

Just back from the 5 minute walk to the JBO. My income support claim has been frozen until I am re-assessed to prevent over payments. I was also given a website to look at with regard to my HB claim.

http://www.lawcentreni.org/EoR/housing_benefit.htm says:

"No non-dependant deductions whatsoever will be made if the person claiming or her/his partner is registered blind, receiving Attendance Allowance or any rate of the care component of DLA. This applies regardless of the number of non-dependants at home or their circumstances."

I just hope that this is still the case. Will have to wait until HB re-assess me too.

healy

If you receive the Severe Disability Premium in your Income Support you will lose that if someone moves in.

HORWICH

You income support may also stop if the class you as LTAHW (Living together as husband and wife). Tell them upfront why the person is moving in.

cifpower

I have explained to them in writing that he is a friend and not a partner or a relative and I hace laid out the reason why I have asked him.

CIS

If your living by yourself and claim a 25% Council Tax Discount, the discount will end.

cifpower

Fortunately council tax does not exist in Northern Ireland. We have a rates system and all of it is paid for if the claimaint is in receipt of DLA.

wilf55

im i right in understanding that if i am on at least middle rate care then even if my grown up children live with me that are working my full housing benefit will not be affected ie i will still get full rate housing benefit and just lose the 25% council tax benefit for being a single occupier

thanks