Dss?

rafhelp

I know DSS means someone who is on benefits. But does this also include employed people.

Some people e.g on dole can get HB to cover rent or help towards it. But some people work and maybe can get HB.

does DSS include employed or self employed people who alos get benefits?

Fire_Fox

There is no definitive answer to that, it's effectively a colloquialism so it will mean different things to different people. Some might get almost full HB others might get a tiny contribution; if you can pay rent even without housing benefit then it could be worth applying for the house IMO.

tbs624

It's time that LLs and LAs updated their phrasing as its DWP who are responsible for benefits.

OP - most LLs will ask for proof of income. If it is clear from the figures that a potential T gives that s/he would be unlikely to be able to afford the property without being in receipt of additional funds via claiming benefits then the T may get refused the tenancy or be asked to provide a guarantor, who in turn should be in full time employment.

kloana

tbs624 wrote: »

It's time that LLs and LAs updated their phrasing as its DWP who are responsible for benefits.

It's local authorities who are currently in charge of the main benefit of interest to landlords: i.e. Housing Benefit / Local Housing Allowance.

No input from the DWP, re: housing needs specifically. Until Universal Credit comes along, that is.

G_M

'DSS' is a very old term, since benefits no longer come from the 'Dept of Social Security'.

It is used loosely by some landlords, but it is up to the individual LL to decide what exactly they mean by it.

The only way to find out is to ask.

tbs624

kloana wrote: »

It's local authorities who are currently in charge of the main benefit of interest to landlords: i.e. Housing Benefit / Local Housing Allowance.

No input from the DWP, re: housing needs specifically. Until Universal Credit comes along, that is.

Thanks for your response. However, my point is that the DSS no longer exists ( as you'll probably be aware) - it ceased to exist in 2001.

From the DWP:

"Housing Benefit - Information for local authorities
Targeted mainly at local authority (LA) staff, this site aims to be the definitive source of information, guidance and good practice on:

• Housing Benefit (HB) – including the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) arrangements
• Council Tax Benefit (CTB)"

See also on the DWP website

"In April 2011 we made major changes to Housing Benefit paid under the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) arrangements, including how the LHA rates are worked out."