Where do I stand in terms of what I can claim?

Sand87

I've been in continuous full time employment since 2005. I'm 25 and single and I live in private accommodation which I pay a monthly rent for.

I've just been told that my boss has been losing money since the start of last year and now can't afford to keep the business open so I will be unemployed at the end of August.

I have no real savings to live off until I find another job so if I haven't found anything by the end of August will I be entitled to receive help for my rent & bills? Or will I have to try and get a council listed flat first?

I understand I can claim JSA which will help with food etc but I will have no way of paying rent or electric

Thanks

dseventy

If its a private rent you will need to claim LHA.

Google "Your council LHA rates".

As you are under 35 you will only be entitled to the shared room rate. You will have t pay the shortfall or move to a cheaper place.

D70

Dunroamin

Sand87 wrote: »

I understand I can claim JSA which will help with food etc but I will have no way of paying rent or electric

You can claim rent separately as D70 has said and also council tax benefit. JSA is intended to cover utilities, food and all other outgoings.

Sand87

Thanks a lot for the replies I have never heard of LHA before.

According to the direct.gov website calculator I'd be able to claim £66.92 per week.

Do you have to actually live in shared accomodation or don't they care?

princessdon

Sand87 wrote: »

Thanks a lot for the replies I have never heard of LHA before.

According to the direct.gov website calculator I'd be able to claim £66.92 per week.

Do you have to actually live in shared accomodation or don't they care?

That is the amount of money - if you use for a 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom or shared accomodation that is up to you.

But for example if you had a 1 bedroom that cost £100 per week - you would have to find the additional £33 per week

Sand87

Ok great.

It's all hypothetical at the moment because I hope, fingers crossed, I find another job before then.

But that's easier said than done so I'm trying to get all my options sorted first.

I notice on the direct.gov website it says often that housing benefit is dependant on how much you earn ("To get Housing Benefit, you must have income and capital below a certain level") but nowhere does it say what the cut off figure is.
Obviously if I'm totally unemployed I'd qualify but what if I was lucky enough to get even a part time job or even a full-time job which paid national minimum wage, would this exclude me?

Sand87

Anyone?

What sort of wage do you have to earn before they refuse LHA?

I'm glad I'm sorting this now, it's bloody confusing and complicated.

Caz3121

I think there is a formula...someone will hopefully come with the accurate figures
I believe from your wage you have an allowance of £71 then they take 65% of what is left towards the rent so in your situation with the LHA, you would get no HB if you earn't more than £171 per week but under that you would get a little help. The full LHA rate would only be paid if your income was £71 or less

Sand87

Yes there must be a formula somewhere as all the government websites keep referring to a wage cut off. But they don't seem to bother saying what it may be...

Sixer

http://www.turn2us.entitledto.co.uk/entitlementcalculator.aspx

If you go here, you can try out all sorts of scenarios and get an accurate picture. You'll need that LHA rate you looked up before.

Help with rent (LHA or HB) is calculated separately from other benefits and is quite complicated and also local which is why there isn't a simple formula anyone here can give you.

skintandscared_2

It may be that the guidelines purposefully don't give an exact figure in case that figure then becomes the "target" to stick to, to maximise benefits. Like the 16 hours thing for tax credits.