Moving back in with parents temporarily

szam_

Good evening,

Just a quick query. I had alot of issues with my old residence, they took my deposit etc among various other things, this meant i could not afford to move to a new place (i live in houseshares basically).

Because of the nature of my work, i cannot move very far as buses do not run at times i need them to get to and from work, and taxi's every morning and evening would be just ridiculously expensive. The area isn't very good for transport links.

So in my moment of need while i save a deposit for possibly a place of my own and getting some form of transport, my mother offered me a place back at home. So quite recently, i moved back, and currently reside on the sofa because one of my brothers attends college, another one is currently claiming JSA and desperately trying to find work (he's only 20 so he's finding it very hard) and my sister is only 17 and still goes to college, and as a result, they have their own rooms. I'm comfortable with this for the next few months.

However, something that skipped my mind up until today when i recieved my P60 is that i forgot to update my address. So i did the online form for the HMRC and need to inform the council.

Technically, i am living back at home for free while i get back on my feet, and do not have a room of my own, like i said, i'm staying on the sofa.

However, my mother recieves what i think is Income Support due to my sister being of school/college age. However i'm not sure (i will be finding out later) this might be Disability due to an accident falling awkardly off a horse years ago and nearly ended up being airlifted to hospital.

My worry is that despite me staying there for a few months and not paying any sort of board (just enough for bills) that when i inform the council, they will deem me liable for the houses's rent and council tax as the only one working in the house and therefore cut off my mothers HB and CTB.

Having spoken to colleagues, they seem to think i will have to pay a portion of Council Tax, but that is all. This is only a temporary stop gap between getting my own place, and should i be liable for paying Rent and Council tax, i would essentially be paying my mothers rent and council tax for her, for the priveledge to sleep on a Sofa, and also not be-able to save for said transport and a flat so i can broaden the area i can move to.

I thought i'd try here since i cannot find any information on this on the web at all and people on here tend to seem knowledgable.

Does anyone know just what is likely happen when i inform the council? Obviously if it's bad news to the extent half my earnings go towards Rent and CT every month, before food and other things, then i will have to come up with another plan and move elsewhere somehow (not that i have the money to do that at the moment, thats the trouble) I'm more than happy to pay my portion, but i wouldn't be happy at paying it all.

Any knowledge would be grateful.

Thanks

HappyMJ

They won't cut it off completely but they will expect you to pay your share of the rent and council tax and deduct what you pay (or are supposed to morally pay) from her HB and CTB.

How much do you earn? The non dependant deductions are about £36.10 for about £200 of income from HB and £6.65 from CTB per week. She will however be entitled to an extra room for you so will inititally get a higher rate of benefit before the deductions are made.

szam_

I thought as much.

I earn 1250 before tax a month as base rate (not including any overtime done). So just over 1000 a month i think after tax. I have agreed to give her 200 a month for bills, which may seem generous, but i did feel bad for being in the way somewhat; so i will ask her if this is ok for it.

I assume by being entitled to more room, you mean that because i am currently sleeping on a sofa, she's entitled to more if she wished to move into a bigger house because i am staying there? Having looked at my local council's website, it looks like i'm going to be paying a huge amount for staying on a sofa.

Nearly £50 a week (assuming it hasn't gone up again this year) for sleeping on a sofa, feel's like i'm about to be robbed.