Housing benefit help...

midnight_express

Heycock wrote: »

And whatever happened to "The Right To A Family Life"? Or does that just apply to people who.........I'd better stop there!

Whatever happened to people supporting themselves and their rug rats ? Whatever happened to self respect ?

Heycock

His relationship broke up. He's trying to do right by his children. His ex is wealthy. He works. He isn't claiming any benefits other than HB. He only gets minimum wage on irregular hours. He has put in plenty in the past but people like you seem to think he shouldn't be allowed to take out when he needs to. Are you really saying his sons should suffer for his breakup? He couldn't have custody because he works, or at least tries to, during the week. This forum is increasingly judgemental. Some people deserve help. Some don't. You'd be wise to learn to tell the difference...you never know when you might need help. No-one is immune at the moment. My finishing point was going to be that there are those who have put in least but benefit the most. In my line of work I see it every day and it's wrong. Smart-!!!!, holier than thou, remarks about self-respect and rugrats are not helpful and rather childish. Sadly typical of this part of the forum. My daughter's partner is like alot out there. By staying legit he gets sod-all help. If he cheated he'd have no problem.
If you have nothing worthwile or constructive to say, why are you here?

Dunroamin

Heycock wrote: »

His relationship broke up. He's trying to do right by his children. His ex is wealthy. He works. He isn't claiming any benefits other than HB. He only gets minimum wage on irregular hours. He has put in plenty in the past but people like you seem to think he shouldn't be allowed to take out when he needs to. Are you really saying his sons should suffer for his breakup? He couldn't have custody because he works, or at least tries to, during the week. This forum is increasingly judgemental. Some people deserve help. Some don't. You'd be wise to learn to tell the difference...you never know when you might need help. No-one is immune at the moment. My finishing point was going to be that there are those who have put in least but benefit the most. In my line of work I see it every day and it's wrong. Smart-!!!!, holier than thou, remarks about self-respect and rugrats are not helpful and rather childish. Sadly typical of this part of the forum. My daughter's partner is like alot out there. By staying legit he gets sod-all help. If he cheated he'd have no problem.
If you have nothing worthwile or constructive to say, why are you here?

Not really helpful to drag your relative's situation into it, is it? Particularly when you don't make it clear that's what you're talking about rather than the OP's situation.

jimhow

Thanks for the replies. Both of us are new to this so haven't got a clue how to go about it. Do we need to apply for housing/get in the new place first and then sort the jobseeker's claim out?

pmlindyloo

jimhow wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. Both of us are new to this so haven't got a clue how to go about it. Do we need to apply for housing/get in the new place first and then sort the jobseeker's claim out?

Where are you living at the moment?

What are you living on (moneywise?)

Have you had jobs recently?

Sorry for all the questions - need more info to help.

So, apply for JSA first.

Basically when you apply for JSA there are 2 types - contribution based JSA (based on NI contributions if you have worked) and Income based JSA which is means tested so will take into account your joint income and savings.

From now on you will be treated for benefit purposes as a couple and will make joint claims. So, for instance if your girlfriend has lots of savings they will treat it as both of you having the savings. They look at household income and savings.

Now presuming you are both entitled to income based JSA then you will be entitled to full HB and full CTB but your HB will be based on what the housing allowance is for a one bed place (what you are entitled to as a couple)

So you need to look for flats/houses that are not above the HA rate. The HA rate is calculated weekly so times that by 52 and divide by 12 and you will have the maximum rent you can take on each month.

Once you have found somewhere to live you will have to pay a deposit and one month's rent in advance.

It is sometimes difficult to find landlords who accept tenants on Housing Benefit but not impossible.

If you have difficulty finding a place you could go to your local council offices/housing offices and ask for some advice. They sometimes have lists of landlords who will take people on HB. They also might run a deposit bond scheme where they 'guarantee' your deposit (no money changes hands) to the landlord.

I believe that you have to have a tenancy agreement to show the housing department before they award the HB and CTB.

Come back if you need further help.

Kirkland

Midnight express should be banned for persistently trolling people on here who have genuine problems. Does, perhaps, midnight express have nothing else to do?

jimhow

Thanks for taking the time to help pmlindyloo, but we managed to see someone yesterday and have got things sorted out (more or less), your advice was just about spot on though