Housing Benefit under occupancy Help

barnaby-bear

lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »

It's what governments do.

Like increasing fuel duty.
Increasing income tax.
Increasing NI contributions.
Increasing VAT.
Abolishing MIRAS.
Etc etc etc.....

Welcome to the real world. Exciting, isn't it?

This is what concenrs me most - the OP seems very institutionalised and dependent on the state not just financially but to deal with life; like the ability to think or adapt to chage has been subdued - almost like the survival instinct/ambition is dampened.

I guess I'm glad that we live in a country where with no means of support, tenure for life, an income to eat, internet services.... the most someone with no means to provide for themselves can fear is not having an unused room to heat.... we really are a very rich country....

northerntwo1

Child Tax Credits - People lose out every change (it gets lower), their circumstances haven't changed just their benefits. They still have the same housing costs.

Work decides that they are doing a 30 hour week so wages are lower, same job

Mortgage company puts their rates up

If you disagree that your circumstances change then look at this way.

You are still entitled to 100% housing benefit, this has not changed one bit, you are and were entitled to 100% benefit.

The change is that the 100% was based on a larger property and now it is based on the rental value of a smaller property.

In short benefit thresholds change - It's what happens.

If your benefits increased as they do each year is that different, or are those changes things that happen.

Morlock

lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »

...the efficient use of social housing will reduce demand for private rent.
That reduced demand will reduce rents in the private sector.

Which will not work at all unless more social housing is built. The waiting lists are so long that even with 100% occupancy in the social housing sector, I doubt it will make much of a dent in the list. And certainly not enough of a dent to make any difference to rental costs in the private sector.

This policy is more about reducing benefits for some claimants than efficient use of housing allocation.

lighting_up_the_chalice

Morlock wrote: »

How? I doubt that the DWP is going to help everyone who is affected with removal costs, if anyone at all.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/technical-guidance/sb16-a-guide-to-the-social/community-care-grants/

Help to stay in the community

You may get a Community Care Grant if this will help you to stay in the community rather than enter accomodation to receive care. One of the factors we will consider is how immediate is the likelihood of going into such accommodation, and whether the type of item or service you need would prevent this happening.

Some examples are:

help with expenses for improving your home to maintain living conditions
help to move to a more suitable place to live or to be nearer someone who will give you care and support.

lighting_up_the_chalice

ijwia wrote: »

but they things you mentioned everyone knows that they will go up always up

"We will not increase VAT." - It increased.
"VAT will no be applied to domestic energy" - VAT was applied to domestic energy

Plenty more where they came from.

ijwia wrote: »

why not just be straight about it and not sneaky just take money of my income support at source and tell me it's because we believe in austerity and that the weak should fend for themselves

Why should someone on benefits without an empty room be expected to effectively contribute towards yours? Surely THAT would be "sneaky".

lighting_up_the_chalice

Morlock wrote: »

Which will not work at all unless more social housing is built. The waiting lists are so long that even with 100% occupancy in the social housing sector, I doubt it will make much of a dent in the list. And certainly not enough of a dent to make any difference to rental costs in the private sector.

This policy is more about reducing benefits for some claimants than efficient use of housing allocation.

I put it forward as PART of the solution. You cannot deny that more efficient use and occupancy rates within Social Housing will address at least some of the demand.

lighting_up_the_chalice

barnaby-bear wrote: »

This is what concenrs me most - the OP seems very institutionalised and dependent on the state not just financially but to deal with life; like the ability to think or adapt to chage has been subdued - almost like the survival instinct/ambition is dampened.

I guess I'm glad that we live in a country where with no means of support, tenure for life, an income to eat, internet services.... the most someone with no means to provide for themselves can fear is not having an unused room to heat.... we really are a very rich country....

I'm no supporter of the majority of the welfare reforms this government has/intends to implement. However, Universal Credit will make people take a much higher degree of responsibility for their living costs. That can only be a good thing.

mazza111

lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »

The introduction of choice based lettings (CBL) for the allocation of social housing has made choice very much the preserve of that sector. Prospective tenants can choose which individual properties to bid on (or not bid on) and the rents charged stay the same regardless of the perceived quality of the area. Just another huge advantage for those who rent in the social sector.

CBL is not available in all areas though. Still a severe shortage of 3/4 bedroom homes here and not enough one bedroom properties for people to downgrade into.

OP you say you have had heart attacks. I'm guessing you don't have care or mobility needs if you are being asked to pay rent? Would you qualify for DLA? I'm pretty sure if you get MRC or above then you may get an extra bedroom entitlement. But that was something they were talking about, wasn't sure if it's definite yet.

As for Community Care Grants..... very hard to get, gotta get the timing just right. I received one years ago when I left an abusive husband and ended up homeless. I have friends who've found themselves homeless who've been in the same situation and been refused outright. Not forgetting that not all those on HB will be eligible for a CCG.

Again I'll say, I do believe in the changes, but surely they should be to encourage people to downsize and free up the property, but when there are no smaller properties available....I wonder how many people will be chasing those 7 in my home town now that they have to pay some rent... That 7 is hardly going to make the big savings the government were hoping for.


I think those in 2 bedroom properties are the ones that will be hit most by this, in my town anyway because of the lack of 1 BR properties. They don't have a choice really do they?

barnaby-bear

lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »

I'm no supporter of the majority of the welfare reforms this government has/intends to implement. However, Universal Credit will make people take a much higher degree of responsibility for their living costs. That can only be a good thing.

But will the OP be able to cope?

I hope maybe a challenge like the spare room might help them aspire to be independent or acquire skills to adapt but given the posts, it could go either way. May be they are too used to every penny being allocated by the government and expecting to stay on the same benefits in the same place forever - it's rather depressing. I hope thye do find something fulfilling to take their mind off it and build their confidence - perhaps making tea for a group with learning disabilities so they appreciate their potential ?

john539

lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »

The only ignorance I can see is from the OP, who doesn't know what benefit he is in receipt of. And yours, of course, for not realising that.

That's why they're asking for help, not personal opinions on policies.

It's sad threads are continually contaminated with judgemental vitriol.