Housing Allowance Advice needed

lighting_up_the_chalice

AnnieD7 wrote: »

Even if we were to spend the 5K on rent, we'll be back in the same situation when it runs out!

Which won't be for another 10 years!!!!

The reduction was only £10 a week.

tinktinktinkerbell

that 5k would last you a hell of a lot of weeks at £40 a week!

krisskross

BigAunty wrote: »

Those who have health issues that prevent them working (you are in your late fifties, I believe) have the option of applying for ESA.

They claim joint pension credit, I very much doubt that ESA would be a better bet.

To me they appear to have 2 choices. Find the extra rent by economising in other areas or look for somewhere else within the LHa rate. Or they could approach the LA and ask about sheltered accommodation......perhaps a bungalow as the OP has mobility problems.

Whatever happens it is going to cost the savings. Either to pay the extra rent as long as the money lasts or to pay moving costs.

gingergee

She was paying 30pw now it 10. surley they can find that a week??? A spending diary is a good way of monitoring income etc. I did it in jan and realized i was wasting about £70pw on rubbish!! bottle wine here, magazine here, bits for kids, new book. All adds up!! and now i am much better with money. A few small changes will keep you where you are. If not maybe taking ironing in, delivering leaflets or something would help. xxxxx

Former_MSE_Andrea

Hi everyone

Just a reminder to people reading this, we're about helping not judgement. If you feel a forum user can improve the way they manage their money please help them with friendly suggestions.

Thanks

GreyQueen

Hi Annie D7, I'm wondering if your Local Housing Allowance (as you rent a private sector home not housing association or council, you will be covered by this) has just come up for its annual renewal?

If it has, they will have applied the rate of LHA for the month of the renewal which will almost certainly differ, and may well be lower, than the same month a year ago.

I believe you are a couple? They will only be allowed to award LHA for a single bedroomed self-contained home so if your current home has more than one bedroom, they can't pay the two or three or four bedroom rate, unfortunately.

I'm sorry you find yourself in this situation and echo advice about asking for an application form for Discretionary Housing Payments, which is a temporary top-up over and above your legal entitlement. It might give you breathing space to review longer term plans.

If you're not sure what the LHA rate is, you may want to look at the website of whichever local authority adminsters your claim and check.

As always, if you think they have it wrong, call them and ask for an explanation and, if not satisfied, ask for a Statement of Reasons, Review or Appeal. You have one month from the date of the decision letter to exercise these rights.........Of course, if they have the incorrect income figures on your claim, you can challenge that at any time by providing proof contrarywise.

Best of luck, GQ x.