Housing Benefit

BillNBob

No idea how any of this works so need some clues please.

I am over pension age and work full time, my OH is disabled and claims ESA/DLA.
We claim nothing else, pay full private rent etc.

We are on the council housing list but only the last 18 months.

Dilemma is - when I eventually retire do the council only pay what they calculate to be the housing benefit for a 1 bedroomed property?

We currently live in a 2 bed and Im guessing benefit will not cover the rent we pay now.
If we cant afford to pay the extra, what would happen?

Landlord will not get their full rent, how does this work apart from the obvious and being evicted.
We do intend to apply for social housing but until that happens and in the meantime............
Can anyone answer?

Fire_Fox

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=139
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018928

BigAunty

Currently, those in social housing with sufficiently low incomes will get housing benefit that covers all the rent, regardless of size.

In April next year, the govt is bringing in what some people have nicknamed the 'bedroom tax' whereby unoccupied spare rooms in social housing mean a reduction in HB with the tenants expected to make up the shortfall from their existing benefits/income.

However, pensioners are exempt, plus disabled tenants who require a spare room for a non-resident overnight carer also qualify for an extra bedroom when it comes to calculating HB. Find the threads in the benefit forum on the 'bedroom tax' or google it to understand the changes and exemptions.

I believe in the private sector, those with severe disabilities qualify for a 2 bedroom rate of Local Housing Allowance. So while it is different now for private and social housing tenants there will be greater parity next year.

Again, any shortfall between the rent and the LHA is a matter for the tenants to resolve, such as paying to top it up out of their existing income or moving to a cheaper property. Private tenants can apply for DHP - discretionary housing payment - to cover a shortfall but it might not be granted and is only temporary.

You can identify the size/LHA rate you will qualify for by checking the local council website or Direct Gov website. You can then model various scenarios on the Turn2us online benefit calculator which will indicate if you are due any other benefits, such as pension credit.

You could also look into whether when you retire you might qualify for Carers Allowance - see the Direct Gov website for the criteria. Also, many people in employment qualify for housing benefit anyway so check now if you are due any.

BillNBob

Thanks for your reply BigAunty.

Some interesting points that I didnt know about and also good ideas about checking out Turn2Us to give me an idea what I might be entitled to.
I know for certain we wouldnt be eligible for any kind of HB now, I apparently earn too much!! No idea what too much is!

Carers Allowance isnt payable to anyone claiming pension, can only have 1 or the other unfortunately.

I just worry that one day I wont have a salary but our rent here will be the same and I wont be able to pay it.

Thanks again

Dunroamin

Do you have personal pensions or are you likely to be claiming pension credit?

theartfullodger

BillNBob wrote: »

No idea how any of this works so need some clues please.

I am over pension age and work full time, my OH is disabled and claims ESA/DLA.
We claim nothing else, .......

So you have not claimed state pension?? Any particular reason?? Winter fuel allowance?? Is OH pensionable also?? 'bus passes??