Housing Benefit & Job benefits

Charlie10

Hi

I'm currently living in Wandsworth but I'm moving to somewhere else in London soon, I'm not quite sure where yet, it depends on what job I end up doing.

This is my first proper house move and I don't know too much about the benefits available to me. One of the jobs I've applied for is only £1k/month so I'm wondering if this entitles me to any housing benefit when I next move and if I get the job. I'm looking at £450/month rent and I'm looking at living with others. Alternatively I'd much rather live by myself with the same budget but the Council Tax cripples me and rules it out.

What I'd like to know is with my expected wage, are there any benefits that would help support me in living in a studio/1 bedroom? Would I get a discount on council tax or anything?

I'd appreciate any advice you can give me.

Thanks

Charlie

BigAunty

If you are under 35, you will only be eligible for the shared room rate (though you can live in any size/cost property you like this is the rate you are allocated and you must make up the difference yourself but obviously a low wage for a high cost property will deter the landlord).

Your income will be taken into account for the benefit entitlement.

You can identify your maximum LHA on the Direct Gov or local council website. Then enter your wage into the Turn2us online benefit calculator which will take into account your income and reduce or wipe out any eligibility for both Local Housing Allowance and council tax discount.

Dunroamin

BigAunty wrote: »

If you are under 35, you will only be eligible for the shared room rate (though you can live in any size/cost property you like this is the rate you are allocated and you must make up the difference yourself but obviously a low wage for a high cost property will deter the landlord).

.

Apologies for nit picking - "shared accommodation" rate.

BigAunty

Dunroamin wrote: »

Apologies for nit picking - "shared accommodation" rate.

oo-er, yes, do nit pick, well spotted, I meant 'shared property' rate rather than tenants crammed into a single bedroom.

Here is a helpful link for the OP

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018928

Also, the Shelter website is good at explaining how private tenancies work and how LHA operates.

paddedjohn

BigAunty wrote: »

oo-er, yes, do nit pick, well spotted, I meant 'shared property' rate rather than tenants crammed into a single bedroom.

Here is a helpful link for the OP

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018928

Also, the Shelter website is good at explaining how private tenancies work and how LHA operates.

Conjours up images in my mind of a load of youngsters trying to get comfy sitting on shelves:rotfl: