Housing benefit for OAP

michael8626

Hello,

I am looking for some advice for my mother. She is 70 years old, receives pension credit and has around £10K in savings. For the past twelve years she has been living in a house that I own and I now have to sell this property.

She has never claimed housing benefit. Would she be entitled/eligible to claim this benefit towards private rental?

I apologise if this subject has already been covered on this forum, I have looked but to no avail.

Thank you in advance.

Michael.

bigbill

Full help if council or other social landlord or up to the set limit for a one bedroon if private let, see the local rates below for her area if private let. Council tax will also be full.


https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/search.aspx

BigAunty

Perhaps you can investigate social housing if that's something she'd like to consider, perhaps there are a few housing associations with elder or sheltered housing in the area? This way she gets security of tenure whereas she might have to move every 6 months or so in the private sector as there's not much security of tenure.

If you serve notice on her, she is being effectively made homeless and there could be an obligation by the local council to house her or perhaps the local social housing waiting lists have less demand for single accommodation.

See the Shelter website for information on how a local council will process a homelessness application and how social housing works.

I know that sums over 6k in capital reduce means tested benefits (housing benefit/council tax) but not sure how it works for someone on a state pension or pension credit, though.

pmlindyloo

Your Mum may be entitled to the maximum amount of HB and HB if she receives Pension Credit Guarantee.

See here: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/technical-guidance/rr2-a-guide-to-housing-benefit/who-can-claim-housing-benefit/

michael8626

I have been away for a few days. Many thanks for the replies.

My mother has confirmed to me she receives Pension Credit Guarantee and she doesn’t pay Council Tax for the property that she is living in that currently belongs to me.

Is housing benefit reasonably straightforward to claim for if an individual is receiving Pension Credit Guarantee?

Also does anybody know how you calculate an amount an individual is entitled too?

Thanks!

RAS

You need to check the value of the Local Housing Allowance for private rental. Anything costing more that and she has to make up the difference from the other income. HB is paid at cost.

Go to www.turn2us.org.uk

Bollotom

Have a shufty at this. Might be good for her to go to local council Housing office as well.
You can do a calculation for her, click on benefits adviser, the blus lik

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018926

Mojisola

BigAunty wrote: »

I know that sums over 6k in capital reduce means tested benefits (housing benefit/council tax) but not sure how it works for someone on a state pension or pension credit, though.

Isn't it £10k for pensioners?

michael8626

Many thanks for the advice everyone.

McKneff

She doesnt pay council tax, isnt that a means tested benefit???

Are you sure that you, as the owner, shouldnt be paying the council tax.