Over 25 do I have to pay to live in council house?

clueless001

Hi,

I'm 25 and currently on ESA I live at home in a council house where my family are on benefits. I have been getting charged to live there by "x" amount per week since I turned 25, I have no income and no savings and not working as I said I'm on ESA due to knee surgery so should I be having to pay? I would've thought I wouldn't since my Mom doesn't pay rent etc and I'm not working etc..

Any information and advice would be appreciated, thanks.

beenstung

Quick answer?

YES

If you want food, warmth and a bed then you pay for them. ESA is for living on, not pocket money.

McKneff

You do have income, you have ESA, like beenstung says its for paying your way.
You cant really expect to live rent free surely

clueless001

I think you misunderstood lol, the council are charging me I already pay for electric, food etc etc and all the things to run the house with my family but since I turned 25 the council have been charging me money to live there, I'm not sure how much, something like £44 a month I think and I wanted to know if I should be paying it or because I'm ESA etc I shouldn't have too.

Sorry if my post was confusing.

TrixieB

The council are charging you? Seperately to your parents whose coincil house it is?
Eh?

KxMx

Are you talking about Council Tax Charges? Have you sent the Council your ESA award letter so they have proof of your income?

HappyMJ

Sparkie001 wrote: »

I think you misunderstood lol, the council are charging me I already pay for electric, food etc etc and all the things to run the house with my family but since I turned 25 the council have been charging me money to live there, I'm not sure how much, something like £44 a month I think and I wanted to know if I should be paying it or because I'm ESA etc I shouldn't have too.

Sorry if my post was confusing.

£10 a week for a room in a flat is quite cheap.

bobajob_1966

Are you on CB or IB ESA? If so, this sounds like a non dependant deduction. Is that what it is?

Mikazaru

Is it the non dependent deduction from your parents housing benefit? If so about £10 for someone on ESA sounds about right.

clueless001

TrixieB wrote: »

The council are charging you? Seperately to your parents whose coincil house it is?
Eh?

Yes, well my Mom is single and she does not have to pay rent yet they're charging me hence my utter confusion lol.

KxMx wrote: »

Are you talking about Council Tax Charges? Have you sent the Council your ESA award letter so they have proof of your income?

I have no idea what the charges are for I'll get more information to provide soon and no I have not sent them anything.

HappyMJ wrote: »

£10 a week for a room in a flat is quite cheap.

Indeed but when I pay a lot towards bills etc and I pay my board, insurance etc to have to pay the council when I'm only getting ESA will become quite difficult. I'm already months behind on the payments because I don't know if I should be paying them or they have made an error.

clueless001

bobajob_1966 wrote: »

Are you on CB or IB ESA? If so, this sounds like a non dependant deduction. Is that what it is?

I'm unsure I think its IB ESA not contribution based (I think) lol.

Mikazaru wrote: »

Is it the non dependent deduction from your parents housing benefit? If so about £10 for someone on ESA sounds about right.

I assume it might be, maybe I am meant to be paying then.

Thanks for the info so far guys, sorry I'm pretty clueless.