Out of work, Council tax and benefits

PaulCooper

My daughter is out of work after taking a break from her career (she handed her notice in, if that makes a difference to the answer) and going to the USA for a few months. She's now back in this country and not got a job, does she still have to pay council tax?.

Also what route should she take to finding out other things she can claim for (not married, no kids, renting accommodation) .
By the way she doesn't want to sit around doing nothing, taking my hard earned tax, but she might just get as much of my money back as she entitled to whilst she can't get work

Thanks for any advice

Oldernotwiser

She can claim JSA although she may be sanctioned for a period for giving up her job voluntarily. She can also claim LHA (up to the appropriate level) and CTB. As all these are means tested so they'll be affected by any savings over £6,000 and if she lives with a working partner.

PaulCooper

Thanks for the answer, but I'm going to have to decalare my gross ignorance, what is LHA (is it Local Housing Allowance?) is this rent?? and what is CTB, got the JSA one!
Thanks in advance, as you can probably see we are rather new to this

CIS

what is LHA (is it Local Housing Allowance?) is this rent??

LHA is part of the Housing Benefit scheme to pay towards the rent.

CTB is Council Tax Benefit.

Oldernotwiser

PaulCooper wrote: »

Thanks for the answer, but I'm going to have to decalare my gross ignorance, what is LHA (is it Local Housing Allowance?) is this rent?? and what is CTB, got the JSA one!
Thanks in advance, as you can probably see we are rather new to this

Apologies. We get so used to abbreviations that we forget they're new to many.

ste_coxy

a full benefits check from the local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is recommended along with a meeting with the Job Centre Plus (JCP). She may qualify for Income Support too depending on her savings (it's a means tested benefit) - I think she may be penalised for giving up her job and not informing the JCP of her doings or whereabouts and so, she might struggle to get JSA. LHA is similar to HB (Housing Benefit) but it is for people who privately rent rather than rent from the council. It is based on the average rental in the area.