Hosting students and receiving IS

nat21luv

Hello all,

A good friend of mine hosts foreign students as her half of the household income but her partner left her last week she's thinking of claiming Income Support but I can't find any info to suggest that earnings from hosting would effect IS. Is anyone able to help?

Many thanks in advance

pmlindyloo

Are you sure that Income Support is the correct benefit?

What are her circumstances?

Income Support is usually only for lone parents with a child under school age.

BigAunty

Income support is generally payable to those with low income sickness/disability benefits and lone parents with children under school age. What is her situation? IS is means tested so other forms of income do affect it.

nat21luv

She has 2 children under 5. Shes come to an agreement with her partner regarding maintenance (£190pcm) and she already receives maintenance for her eldest at the same rate(different father) She did an online application but this didn't affect it.

If she doesn't claim IS, would she be able to claim another benefit or still be entitled to some HB?

Really appreciate your help guys, I'm trying to sort out her finances for her whilst she concentrates on moving on, the separation came out of the blue.

pmlindyloo

If she is entitled to Incoem Support then as BigAunty says any income will affect this benefit. There may be a disregard and there may also be allowable expenses. For instance she may be providing meals out of the money she receives etc. Best to ask the appropriate department.

It is difficult to be more definite as you say that she hosts as her share of the household income, which suggests that she does a fair amount of hosting.

It could be that the amount of hosting she does would mean that she wouldn't receive any Income Support.

More details needed please!

nat21luv

Well I know hosting is irregular, possibly £300 a month. Yes, all meals, water ect comes out of the money she recieves. When I say her half of the income, I meant all CTC/CB was given to her which acted as her half. Hosting topped it up to match her OHs income.