HB / Income Support

M1L1X

Looking for some help and guidance.

After a near 4 month wait for housing benefit we have finally received a notice of what we are entitled to.

£21.41 a week.

We were advised by numerous staff members at the benefits office this was our best plan of action. To receive housing benefit, my partner had to cancel her income support which I believe is around £60 a week.

Simple maths tell me, housing benefits is completely pointless in my case and infact has cost us in income around £640 in the 4 months we have been waiting for a result to our housing benefit claim.

Rough estimate - Housing benefit £20 a week - 16 weeks = £320
Rough estimate - Income support £60 a week - 16 weeks = £960

My question is -

Can I simply cancel housing benefit and restart my partners claim for income support?

Will income support affect tax credits? We currently receive child tax credits and working tax credits.

Can I complain to someone about the terrible advice we have been given?

:beer:

nannytone_2

if you live together, you would not be entitled to income support, unless she is a carer. and to be honest, even if tht were the case, if you are fit and working, you would probably be earning too much.

income support is only for lone parents/carers.

M1L1X

I hadn't realised she lost the entitlement to income support once we started living together.

I earn a fair wage, but as she is a stay at home mum unfortunately we rely on just my wage.

nannytone_2

plus child tax credits and child benefit.

HappyMJ

M1L1X wrote: »

I hadn't realised she lost the entitlement to income support once we started living together.

I earn a fair wage, but as she is a stay at home mum unfortunately we rely on just my wage.

and the tax credits.

M1L1X

Correct. Unfortunately when budgeting I hadn't taken that into account.

Thanks for your help

karenx

You dont really have any options, she isnt entitled to income support so the advice you got was correct. Cancel income support. And I hope she has cancelled her single tax credits claim and claimed as a couple