Will our benefits be affected

cassieboo84

I am currently 4 and a half months pregnant and claiming jsa. I have recently broken up with my partner and can no longer afford the place where i live as he was my guarantor.

My question is, if the landlord kicks me out i can move in with my mum for a while till i have the baby but will it affect her benefits or mine or both? She is claiming jsa, housing benefit and child tax. Obviously neither of us could support ourselves if the benefits are stopped.

Any advice would be great, thanks

BigAunty

You will be classed as a non-dependent.

Most council websites list non-dependent deductions which vary from zero to small sums for those on benefits and low income to a bit more for those in employment.

HappyMJ

As long as you continue to pay the rent then you can stay where you are until evicted. Actually, as bad as it sounds you are better off staying until bailiffs are at the door escorting you from the premises. Your partner may be able to end the tenancy but you do not have to agree to the tenancy being terminated. You have the right to stay and negotiate a new tenancy.

If you move in with your mum it will affect her benefits. If she claims based on LHA rates (i.e privately) then her housing benefit will increase by 1 room intially then later 2 rooms. One for you and 1 for the baby but then the housing benefit will be reduced as you are a non dependant.

McKneff

As happymj says,

But if you pool your resources and share everything you should be okay

cassieboo84

Thanks for the information.

Its my name on the tenancy and my ex (the father) was helping me pay off the deposit and said he would be my guarantor. The problem is that i have not yet started receiving housing benefit, the claim is still being processed and when the landord came out today to collect the rest of the deposit my ex said he wasnt going to pay it. The landlord is a bit iffy about me staying without the deposit i think.

And he is also not happy about waiting for the rent as ive been here 2 weeks now.

HappyMJ

cassieboo84 wrote: »

Thanks for the information.

Its my name on the tenancy and my ex (the father) was helping me pay off the deposit and said he would be my guarantor. The problem is that i have not yet started receiving housing benefit, the claim is still being processed and when the landord came out today to collect the rest of the deposit my ex said he wasnt going to pay it. The landlord is a bit iffy about me staying without the deposit i think.

And he is also not happy about waiting for the rent as ive been here 2 weeks now.

Are you on a fixed term tenancy? It sounds like you have just started a tenancy. Landlords don't always like tenants on HB but if you can prove you are paying on time then they (usually) will let you stay as long as the rent is paid on time without fail every month. Fall behind and you risk your home. Can you borrow the money from somewhere? You need to speak with the council to see what is happening with your claim. They can sometimes refer to you places that can help or even maybe give you a payment on account if you are at risk of eviction.

cassieboo84

I signed a 6 month contract when i moved in. i have to go to council on monday to check progress of the claim and then call him afterwards to let him know what they say.

He also said he would speak to them too if necessary. Im not sure if that would help? Do i tell the council i might be getting evicted?

HappyMJ

cassieboo84 wrote: »

I signed a 6 month contract when i moved in. i have to go to council on monday to check progress of the claim and then call him afterwards to let him know what they say.

He also said he would speak to them too if necessary. Im not sure if that would help? Do i tell the council i might be getting evicted?

Was that 2 weeks ago? Was a deposit and first months rent paid before or as the tenancy was being signed?

Not yet.

cassieboo84

We paid the first months rent the week before the agreement was signed and then when i signed the agreement i paid half of the deposit and my ex was supposed to pay the other half today.

HappyMJ

cassieboo84 wrote: »

We paid the first months rent the week before the agreement was signed and then when i signed the agreement i paid half of the deposit and my ex was supposed to pay the other half today.

Big fail on the landlords part. He should not have let you sign the agreement until he had the full deposit in his hands. Don't worry about it the landlord has to go through all the proper channels to evict you and has to wait until you are 2 months in arrears with the rent before starting anything.

pandaspot

how old are you? are you under 25? if so and on jsa income based then there will be no deduction from your mums hb and ctb.

however her lha will be increased if she is a private tenant