Housing Benefit Query..

shoe*diva79

After speakingto loads of agents it appears that there are hardly any landlordsnin the area I live who will take a HB claiment as a tenent. However, my ex has agreed to lend me 6 months rent to pay in advance and I can pay him back from housing benefit. Will I be able to do this? Ill have a tenency agreement obviously with the agent but it seems the only way I can rent somewhere is to pay for 6 months upfront. I dont have the money myself (have been a SAHM with our children) and altho things are getting strained the ex is being verY reasonable offering to help me out.

[Deleted User]

i`m unware of any reason why you cant claim having paid upfront,but do be aware that HB claims can take time

shoe*diva79

Thats ok. He is willing to wait for his money and receive it back as i receive it. I shall call them tomorow. Thanks!

CKhalvashi

woodbine wrote: »

i`m unware of any reason why you cant claim having paid upfront,but do be aware that HB claims can take time

There's nothing in the rules to say that you can't. It comes down to income entitlement.

What you may be best doing, if ex is happy with this, is paying 3 months from HB, then the other 3 months from some other income, so you're always three months ahead with LL.

If this won't pull disputes with ex, it may give the LL piece of mind.

CK

shoe*diva79

Yes, the landlord wants 6 months upfront to start with and then 3 months upfront following that so ex said if he pays the 6 months (£4500) then as i get the HB for it he wants me to save 3 months rent then spend the other 3 months paying him back some. Then again when i have paid the first 3 month installment start immediately saving for the next 3 month installment before continuing payments to him if that makes sense? He is also going to pay the deposit and fees which I will also pay back to him but that is being paid in lieu of Maintenance.

[Deleted User]

have you checked to see what the LHA(local housing allowance)is for your area and circumstances?

CKhalvashi

woodbine wrote: »

have you checked to see what the LHA(local housing allowance)is for your area and circumstances?

This is another valid point, that given difficult personal circumstances, I've overlooked tonight.

What is the LHA rate (maximum) for your area?

How much is the rent?

How much income do you currently have? I haven't re-checked, but it would be beneficial to know for two reasons:

a) To work out LHA deductions to see if you're actually entitled
b) To work out the rate that it's safe to pay your ex-DH back.

CK

shoe*diva79

The LHA is £150 a week for my area. I have 2 children aged 13 and 20 months. Both girls. The LHA rate is for a 2 bed property. I have found a 3 bed property for £750 so would have to pay the additional £100 a month myself.

Other income is IS at £71 a week (claimed on Thursday), CTC at £113 a week, CB at £33.70 a week and I will be in receipt of £152 a week Child Maintenance which the Benefit Office said will be disregarded.

shoe*diva79

Its all such a minefield to me :-(

I have never been in the position to need to use the benefit system and its so confusing. I just want to make sure my girls are in a safe home and this period of change is not to unsettling.

CKhalvashi

shoe*diva79 wrote: »

The LHA is £150 a week for my area. I have 2 children aged 13 and 20 months. Both girls. The LHA rate is for a 2 bed property. I have found a 3 bed property for £750 so would have to pay the additional £100 a month myself.

Other income is IS at £71 a week (claimed on Thursday), CTC at £113 a week, CB at £33.70 a week and I will be in receipt of £152 a week Child Maintenance which the Benefit Office said will be disregarded.

So, you've been awarded £150/wk, or the maximum is £150/wk?

You're looking at an allowable income of around £600 a month, which would dwindle any HB/CTB that you may be able to gain if £150 is the maximum.

You need to seek further advice on this, perhaps from the council, to see exactly what you're entitled to, as on the rates given, you're looking at no benefits at all, unless this is what you can possibly claim.

CK