Help - Grey Area - Student Benefits

BigAunty

pmlindyloo wrote: »

...

Also, as someone who is under 35 years they would only be entitled to the local housing allowance for a shared room rate.

Shared property rate for the under 35s who are single but my understanding is that couples of any age in a 1 bed or studio property are eligible for the 1 bed-rate. Is that not the case?

However, the OP isn't entitled to any HB and their partner possibly isn't either.

If they did have any HB entitlement, it would of course only apply to the partner when it comes to the calculation, so would the OPs partner in a studio or 1 bed property, get half the 1 bedroom rate in that scenario (possibly slightly reduced by the OPs income)?

Blimey - a course that requires nearly 8 hours a day, 7 days a week commitment?! I had about 12-15 hours of lectures and seminars a week and doubt if I doubled that with research and homework....

conquistador

If they did have any HB entitlement, it would of course only apply to the partner when it comes to the calculation, so would the OPs partner in a studio or 1 bed property, get half the 1 bedroom rate in that scenario (possibly slightly reduced by the OPs income)?

This is what I am asking. I want to know if my partner is eligible? According to direct.gov there is no reason why HB can not be claimed.

conquistador

[QUOTE=pmlindyloo;58977027
Next. Your partner is under 18 years old. Legally they are not allowed to enter into a tenancy agreement. This might make it impossible for your partner to go onto the tenancy agreement and certainly difficult to claim for half the rent. (or prove that they have a liability for rent)


You need to put all these questions to Shelter.

[/QUOTE]

I would negotiate with the landlord the tenancy agreement to sign as a joint for when they turn 18 and until then hold it in trust with a guarantor or myself.

I have contacted shelter but have still not received a reply

SuziQ

Why don't both of you look for part time work? Lots of A level and Uni students manage part and full time work alongside their studies. I am saying this as the parent of an A level student and my oldest child graduated from her 4 year degree last year. Most of her friends worked and didn't rely on benefits as you are proposing.

I can't believe your hours are any longer than my daughters which was classed as a double degree with almost double contact hours.

pmlindyloo

conquistador wrote: »

I would negotiate with the landlord the tenancy agreement to sign as a joint for when they turn 18 and until then hold it in trust with a guarantor or myself.

I have contacted shelter but have still not received a reply

If you do this and they allow the HB claim then your partner would be entitled to half the joint rent for a one bed place. (up to the maximum local housing allowance - you can goggle for this on your local council website)

If all goes smoothly and your partner is allowed to claim half the LHA for a one bed place then your income (including all loans etc ) would be taken into account.

Would your partner's parents be willing to help out financially until your partner goes to uni.?

BigAunty

conquistador wrote: »

This is what I am asking. I want to know if my partner is eligible? According to direct.gov there is no reason why HB can not be claimed.

Some other places agree, some qualify it but with your income counting against it and your partner being able to have it only briefly, I would be inclined to think of alternative ways of upping your income or decreasing your expenses as a partial amount of HB for one of you for a year is not really going to make much of an impact.

Example links that provide info on HB for Alevel students

If you are under 19 and on a course below degree level, you can also claim Housing Benefit (unless you have recently left care).

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_help_if_on_a_low_income_ew/help_with_your_rent_-_housing_benefit.htm

Studying for A-levels or similar?

Some young people aged under 21 may be able to claim housing benefit while still in further education studying for academic or vocational courses up to A-level or similar. You would have to be liable for rent and not be supported by a parent, carer or someone who claims child benefit for you. You should seek specialist advice if you are in this situation.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/housing_benefit_for_students



If you are a full time student, you can only claim housing benefit if you are:

• Aged under 19 in further education up to A level standard

http://www.north-herts.gov.uk/index/advice_and_benefits/benefits/students_and_benefits.htm

Which students can claim Housing Benefit

You should be able to claim Housing Benefit if you are a part-time student, but even if you are full-time, you should be able to claim Housing Benefit if you fall into one of these groups:

• You are under 21 and not in higher education and enrolled for your course before age 19

http://www.colchester.gov.uk/article/5856/Students-and-Housing-Benefit

BigAunty

SuziQ wrote: »

..

I can't believe your hours are any longer than my daughters which was classed as a double degree with almost double contact hours.

Medical degrees and some engineering students would struggle to hold down a job with their courses.

SuziQ

Medical degrees and some engineering students would struggle to hold down a job with their courses.[/

QUOTE]

Once medical students are on those hours in placement they are paid for it though. I have no idea about engineering students, but my daughter was in lectures and seminars every day, started early every day and often finished 6 or 7 in the evening. Where's there's a will, there's a way and when benefits don't exist people find that way !

I find the whole situation described by the OP to be questionable.

szam_

Can you and your partner not wait until you're both in Uni? I think you're getting in to the realms of something that could take a while to get a decision from anyone, and think this is would even be a grey area for even council workers.

Assuming there are no mitgating circumstances forcing them to move, you should be-able to cope with 100 mile distance for a while.

Honestly though, i can't see you recieving it. I attempted and nearly completed College when i was 20, until the Job Centre put an end to that, when i lost my part time job, the local authority threw out my application as i was in full time education, and i had nothing to live on. Was forced to quit just a few months shy of finishing and getting a qualification and went to find work. A waste of a year and a half really.

Dunroamin

Your partner cannot just say that s/he's estranged from her parents - she'd need to provide evidence of this by something like Social Services involvement.