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seeking advice please!!

Hi,

Any advice would be really appreciated.

Can anyone figure out if I am entitled to claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit?

I was made redundant from my job on 31st August:( and have received £2200 redundancy payment:j. I currently receive around £63 Working Tax Credit per week and may be able to get that for another four weeks maximum. I still have to contact them to find out for certain. I have about £2000 savings. I have not claimed JSA and I would rather live off my savings than do that or possibly declare myself self-employed, as I have a viable business idea.

I currently rent a two bedroom house from my aunt who lives in a separate house. I am 35 years old and rent the house with a female friend (we are co-tenants) and we have rented this place for over three years. We split the rent equally. I pay £65 per week to her and she pays my aunt by direct debit.

I also pay around £67 a month council tax.

The redundancy payment I quoted above includes one month payment in lieu. I have been paid up to the end of September 2011.

Does anyone know whether I am entitled to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, and if so, when would it be calculated from?

Thanks,
A

Comments

  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
    First Post Name Dropper Second Anniversary
    You should be able to claim CTB and HB, the best option is claim either via the council website or by using a paper form. The sooner the better so that you don't lose out (make sure you keep them informed about the Tax Credits).
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • merlin68
    merlin68 Posts: 2,405 Forumite
    Can you claim HB though as it is from a family member. I thought you couldn't?
  • McKneff
    McKneff Posts: 38,857 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post Name Dropper
    merlin68 wrote: »
    Can you claim HB though as it is from a family member. I thought you couldn't?

    If the aunt can prove that its not a 'contrived tenancy' and she is a proper landlord/lady, including having gas safe certificates and wold evict the tenants for non payment of rent as a normal landlord would do then it would be okay, as far as somethings Ive read on this forum anyway.

    OP, there is absolutely no reason why you cant claim JSA, strange that you dont claim this but yo want to claim other things so Im confused.
    make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
    and we will never, ever return.
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