Discretionary HB Top Up

outofmoney

Has anyone ever been successful with this?

With the changes in HB we now have to use some of our Income Support to pay the rent.
Income Support is not not exactly much and as the G'ment put it 'The minimum you need to live on'. So now we have below the amount needed.

We rent a 3 bed house. It is one of the lowest rents about, so even moving would make no difference.

We have been on the housing list for 12 years and seriously doubt we will ever get anything, though we do bid when we can.

karenx

Even if you get it its only for a short period of time so you will be back to where you started soon. Can you downgrade to a smaller house? Do you need 3 bedrooms?

outofmoney

Thanks,

We need 5 but that is never likely to happen. Downsizing is definitely not an option. We already have 3 boys in one bedroom that only has enough floor space for one single!

I did not know it was a temporary thing. Where is that info?

HappyMJ

outofmoney wrote: »

Thanks,

We need 5 but that is never likely to happen. Downsizing is definitely not an option. We already have 3 boys in one bedroom that only has enough floor space for one single!

I did not know it was a temporary thing. Where is that info?

There is no info. It's a discretionary payment. They'll only pay you if they have the money in their budget and each council has only so much money. They tend to pay it temporarily whilst you look for somewhere cheaper. You have known that your HB will go down for over a year so they may or may not pay you. The LHA rates are set so that 30% of the properties on the market are under the LHA rate so you should be able to find something. It won't be any good but it'll be a roof. karenx is just saying why don't you consider a large 2 bedroomed property or a property in a much cheaper area.

outofmoney

Thanks for your answers.

To be honest from what we had read it did not appear our HB was going down. We don't live in a really expensive area like London.

We keep an eye on the rental market and nothing cheaper has come up yet, so I really don't know where they get their figures from.

We can't even get a large 2 bed property with the amount of HB they give us now.

HappyMJ

outofmoney wrote: »

Thanks for your answers.

To be honest from what we had read it did not appear our HB was going down. We don't live in a really expensive area like London.

We keep an eye on the rental market and nothing cheaper has come up yet, so I really don't know where they get their figures from.

We can't even get a large 2 bed property with the amount of HB they give us now.

Do you live in an expensive area for your town? They average the cheaper ex-council properties with the more expensive areas so the only 30% you can afford will probably be the ex-council properties on a council estate in the most deprived area of your town. They won't pay you any discretionary payment if properties are available now matter how rubbish they appear to you.

There are 30% of properties under the LHA rate in your BRMA (broad rental market area). You might need to look a bit further.

red_devil

Its worth applying for. They do give it but its only meant to be short term. You can appeal if you dont get it.

outofmoney

We live in one of the cheaper areas on an estate. There are a few ex council for rent but even they are more expensive. (Which really winds me up when they got the house dirt cheap!!!)

I have just had a look and it is only flats that are cheaper. We have two disabled children so flats are not an option.

Will keep looking and will apply anyway. They can only say No.

HappyMJ

outofmoney wrote: »

We live in one of the cheaper areas on an estate. There are a few ex council for rent but even they are more expensive. (Which really winds me up when they got the house dirt cheap!!!)

I have just had a look and it is only flats that are cheaper. We have two disabled children so flats are not an option.

Will keep looking and will apply anyway. They can only say No.

Make sure you highlight that when you apply for your discretionary payment. They can then exclude the properties that you can't rent as unsuitable and that should bring the 30% mark up a bit and you might get a small payment. Looking at the rents in my area nearly all the properties under the LHA rate are flats or terrace houses with stairs. There aren't that many cheap bungalows at all. The cheapest bungalow is £545 and the LHA rate is £450.

missmontana

Do you get DLA for the disabled children or carers allowance? Have you checked you are claiming everything you can?

rotoguys

Have you checked the number of bedrooms you are entitled to and the level of benefit due?

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DG_196239

Have you then checked what properties are available at that rate, with the number of bedrooms that are required in your area?

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent.html/svr/2716;jsessionid=A28F7382FC137E7C1554233B74C8FFE9

I cannot believe that there are no properties for the number of bedrooms at the value of the benefit level. You may have to move of course, but at least you will be able to afford the rent!