housing after leaving work

clenmc

Hi,
I currently work however my circumstances have just changed and it is looking likely that I will have to leave.
Does anybody know if you can claim housing benefit immediately after leaving work? Or is there a period where you have to wait a few weeks after leaving a job before you can claim?
Thanks

debtfree2015_2

Hi,

It wont hurt to get your paperwork in now, if you can provide proof that your job is coming to an end, then you can update them when you get your p45/IS/JSA documents

They wont pay until you have left, unless you are already entitled to a small part of HB.

If you leave it until after you finish they will pay from when you became entitled - it can take a few weeks to process - varies from council to council, so if they dont pay you until say 6 weeks from the day you leave they will backdate.

skintandscared_2

Out of interest, does entitlement depend on the reason for leaving work?

[Deleted User]

skintandscared wrote: »

Out of interest, does entitlement depend on the reason for leaving work?

AFAIK not for HB it can affect JSA if you just leave

merlin68

You can claim Hb when you work anyway, so it wouldn't make any difference.

skater_kat

if you get paid a month behind, you might not get any HB while you still have that money due to you.

real1314

skater_kat wrote: »

if you get paid a month behind, you might not get any HB while you still have that money due to you.

Rarely the case. If you lose your job, you'll be claiming JSA etc, also, "technically" HB should be assesed on the income "earned" in the period of the claim, not that which was earned in periods before the claim. They shouldn't attribute the last month's wage forward as it doesn't fit the regs (though they do operate this way with current earnings, purely for practical reasons of being unable to predict future income).

Another thing to note is that generally for the first 13 weeks you should (unless they've changed the rules) get your full rent allowed if renting privately (subject to income / non-dependants); This is often overlooked, and might need a reminder, 'cos the staff have a hell of a lot of rules to try to remember! :cool: