Benefits entitlement? Home ownership

vvconfused

We are in process of buying a flat which son will live in. No mortgages involved. He has just lost job due to illness and its possible will be unable to work long-term. In terms of whatever benefits he might be entitled to, would it be better for flat to be bought in his name? Or ours (ie second home) and we take rent (financially we do not actually "need" rent).

sammyjammy

Wouldn't make any difference whether its in his name or yours, no housing help available in this situation. As far as JSA is concerned his housing situation won't make a difference to what he is entitled to.

vvconfused

His illness would prevent him from seeking work. I realise housing benefit wouldn't be an option but was thinking more about low income support.

sammyjammy

Sorry I missed the bit about it being due to illness, still won't make any difference, if he is not capable of work he should get a fit note from his GP and put in a claim for ESA, this could be either contributory based or income based ( basically entitled if he has no income and savings of less than £16,000). He won't meet the requirements for Income support.

xylophone

Will he be entitled to DLA?
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Disabledpeople/DG_10011925

vvconfused

So whilst he currently rents from a landlord and DOES qualify for housing benefit, are you saying that if we buy flat and require rent he will NOT qualify??

Notmyrealname

vvconfused wrote: »

So whilst he currently rents from a landlord and DOES qualify for housing benefit, are you saying that if we buy flat and require rent he will NOT qualify??

Correct. It will be deemed to be a contrived tenancy - one done for monetary gain. If on the other hand you had a flat you'd been renting out for years and then he took it over as a tenant then it would stand a better chance.