Friend moving in - effect on benefits?

missk_ensington

Is the property two bedroomed? There are two issues at the forefront of my mind (assuming you;re a single person, no kids etc) 1) If its two bedroomed I can't see how HB would pay for a 2 bed rental for one single person 2) if its a one bed property they won't believe that the 'friend' is not a co-habiting partner.

Be careful you don't get into muddy waters

cifpower

missk_ensington wrote:

Is the property two bedroomed? There are two issues at the forefront of my mind (assuming you;re a single person, no kids etc) 1) If its two bedroomed I can't see how HB would pay for a 2 bed rental for one single person 2) if its a one bed property they won't believe that the 'friend' is not a co-habiting partner.

Be careful you don't get into muddy waters

The property is 2 bedroomed and I currently get £355 of the £450 rent paid.

missk_ensington

Ah right I see, you might be okay then. Obviously if it was 1 bed they wouldn't wash it for a minute.

The fact the friend is male, might cause some cynicism so dont be surprised if you get random checks. Not to suggest that you're dodgy in any way, but obviously they must hear it so many times that a bloke staying with them is just a friend. It must be the oldest trick in the book.

Good luck x

cifpower

I received a letter yesterday from JBO confirming the receipt of my letter and asking me to confirm that the friend is not a partnet even though I stated that in my original letter. I just hope this isn't the start of random checks and more letters and requests for my friend's NINO and address/personal/financial history.

Bizarrely, on direct.gov.uk the changes in the circumstances you have to inform the JBO of are:

you go into or come out of hospital
someone you get benefit for goes into or comes out of hospital
you go into a care home
you go abroad to live or for a visitor
you start working, or your working hours change, even if it is voluntary work
you gain capital (including savings and investments) for example property is left to you


no mention of someone moving in with you

cifpower

Another update - my HB claim has been suspended. I have been asked to confirm what my rent charge is now that my friend has moved in. The rent has stayed the same.

Beginning to become very worried now that my claim will be cancelled or drastically reduced.

Fran

The quickest way to find out what's going on is ring your local council and ask for the Housing Benefit department to ask exactly why it's been suspended.

cifpower

Its been suspended in accordance with HB Regulations 2001 (Northern Ireland) whilst I am being reassesed.

Fran

Just re-read this, it's been stopped because the Income Support has been stopped so they are the ones to contact re this. Give them a ring and ask how long it will take, if you will end up with no money contact Citizens Advice or similar to help negotiate for you.

missk_ensington

cifpower wrote:

I received a letter yesterday from JBO confirming the receipt of my letter and asking me to confirm that the friend is not a partnet even though I stated that in my original letter. I just hope this isn't the start of random checks and more letters and requests for my friend's NINO and address/personal/financial history.

Yes, it will be. Otherwise what is stopping every person in the country who is living alone on benefits, moving in a boyfriend and girlfriend and saying they're just a platonic friend?? If they find anything that associates you as being a partner and not a friend, you will be done for fraud.

A common misconception is "how will they find out?" but they do. Usually because someone you know has phoned them up and told them, but they can find out if people later have a child, get married, open a joint account, if they find any clothes of his in your wardrobe......... tyhese things have a habit of catching up with you.

With the rent, they assume that the person moving in ill be sharing the rent equally, thus meaning your current claim is too much. You cannot say that you are allowing them to stay at a reduced rate/free, as they will say that it is not the HB's/tax payers place to fund your decision to allow someone to live with you. It is you that qualifies for HB not him, thus his share of the rent has to be paid.

Taloola78

wilf55 wrote:

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

That is correct, I am currently in that position. I work and live with my mum and she still get's full housing benefit.
She get's DLA care component so this makes her eligible, the lady in the office told us when we found out about it that she can have 10 people living in the house each making a £1000 a week and it would still be the same.