How Will Partner Moving In Affect Housing Benefit Entitlement??

ukboxer

enabledebra wrote: »

First - check my edit to my last post- sorry.

Second- the government has implemented this rule with the clear knowledge and stated intention that people will have to move or will be evicted because they can't afford to meet the shortfall. All the housing sector organisations have told them it's not going to save money because people will be homeless and that will cost more to resolve but governments want to be able to tell the voters they are 'addressing' the benefits bill. It's the same with the 'benefit cap' - the government have said people can't get more than £500 pw in total from the benefits system to appease voters but they have just increased the 'discretionary housing payments' fund by millions so that if you do have your benefits capped they will pay the additional money from this fund instead. No savings just spin.

No problem at all thank you very much for the edit, I made an edit to my previous post too lol

I understand why they want to implement the changes I just don't think they have fully thought through the consequences. It's fair enough telling people they will need to down size and move into shared accommodation or a bedsit and then housing benefit will be provided at the lower rate. Great! but how do people with no money make that transition to a new property? Its impossible

She got a form to fill out for the 'Discretionary Housing Payments' yesterday and was told that it could take 6 months for a decision to be made.

I am also going to contact shelter too on her behalf (she is not good at this sort of thing) for any information and suggestions.

Also, virtually all the properties that I have found online are atleast £20 per week over the £78.50 and ALL so far state no housing benefit!!

PippaGirl_2

Does she have any family members who could help her with her move? If she has no family or is estranged, then there are charities and many churches have community projects that support people in the community who may well help. I think the Government realise this will lead people to rely on friends/family/charities more but they prefer that to relying on the state.

BigAunty

ukboxer wrote: »

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That's one thing I really don't understand. She is on JSA which give the claimant the minimum to survive on fortnightly. It does not include money to be put aside i.e savings. A move would obviously include a deposit and a month paid in advance. Her housing entitlement would be £78.50 so she would realistically need a bare minimum of £628 upfront. Where on earth do the Council think she or anyone else in her position can get that kind of money from?

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As per an historic post in another thread, I think there is a DWP loan to cover her rent in advance and most councils operate a deposit guarantee scheme.

ukboxer wrote: »

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Personally, I think the new entitlements should be in effect for new claimants from the introduction date of January 2012 not for existing claimants (although I believe prior to April 2008 wont be affected) but what I think is irrelevant.

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The purpose of the change is to cut public spending so this couldn't be achieved if it just applied to new claims.

ukboxer wrote: »

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This is down to Government changes being imposed so why are they not helping these people into affordable accommodation? The attitude we got from the Housing receptionist was basically "Its your problem"

Surely, in a civilised Country they cant make someone homeless through no fault of there own??

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Tenants are expected to find their own accommodation, unless deemed to be in a vulnerable group. I'm sure the state can't act as an estate agent for everyone seeking a home.

You say that she suffers from depression and social anxiety so how are you getting along with her claiming ESA instead of JSA?

However, councils are notorious for not fulfilling their statutory obligations to help those in need who they are obliged to help, particularly to single people.

Shelter will help to advise on her rights (which may be different from what the council say). For example, an organisation called Crisis tested a number of councils on their services by getting people to apply as homeless and found that in 90% of cases, they were not treated as they should be law - many couldn't even get past the receptionist, as you found, some were just given a leaflet, others were told to return with more information, etc.

Go back to the council with her and make sure they accept her homelessness application, demand they put in writing why they won't accept it and tell them that you will escalate it if they do not - she cannot afford her current accommodation and is at risk of losing it.

She still needs to look for alternative accommodation - it isn't clear to me if she ought to be treated as a priority by the council homelessness team but Shelter will know. Certainly, local councils can't dish out council housing to every tenant whose HB has changed.

The Citizens Advice Bureau may also help. Consider contacting her MP - they are there to serve you and should be made aware of the impact of their policies on their constituents and any weaknesses in services provided by the local council.

ukboxer

PippaGirl wrote: »

Does she have any family members who could help her with her move? If she has no family or is estranged, then there are charities and many churches have community projects that support people in the community who may well help. I think the Government realise this will lead people to rely on friends/family/charities more but they prefer that to relying on the state.

Hi PippaGirl and thank you for your reply.

Unfortunately she has no support from her family at all. All she really has is me and ofcourse if she is made homeless I would take her in but I live in a 1 bedroom flat with my girlfriend so it would have to be very temporary if that were to happen. Also, it is against the terms of my lease to have anyone else living at my flat but if its a question of her being on the streets or not then the Government is effectively forcing me to jeopardise my own home.