Housing Benefit Confusion

Anneliese13

Hi! I've mentioned before that my partner moved in with me a few weeks ago. He's self employed and we have our tax credits thankfully sorted out but I'm confused about HB and CTB.

For the first three weeks the business earned nothing, but last week it was £315. It does look set to bring us the estimated £500 p.m income despite the slow start, but we already have several letters crediting benefit, then suspending it - you get the picture.

I don't have our TC award letter yet, but the housing office have told me they've emailed for the details (£74 WTC / £45 CTC) and calculated that I should pay about 50% rent and 30% council tax, which I have. I'm just worried that I'll end up with overpayments from the benefits people and an unholy mess!

We are H.A tenants, so I assume any payments will be sent directly, (making it the HA's and council's responsibility to recover them and not mine?) and have been told that an average will be worked out over time. Can anyone reassure me that this will be the case? I wasn't going to bother claiming t.b.h as I am expecting a baby soon and can do without the stress, but a welfare advisor said I'd be daft not to.

Thanks in advance!

Anthillmob

im not too crash hot on self employed as ive never been trained on how to assess SE income for HB and CTB purposes but id advise that you provide information to the LA on a monthly basis to do with your income or, probably a better idea, ask them for a SE sheet (presuming they have one) and give a projected income for the next 6 months or so.

Ross01

You dont say whether your partner was already running the business before he moved into live with you. If it is an existing business then just supply last years accounts. If it is a brand new business then you will need to forcast your income during the next 6 months, then in 6 months time supply actual accounts so it can be re-examined.

Anneliese13

It's a new business and I take in a S.E form every week showing income and expenditure for it, plus they want originals of receipts which are copied. So it's more or less the same as our actual accounts.

Thanks for your replies :-)

Anneliese13

Well I've just been told that they are still dealing with cases from December so it could be a while before I know how much I am entitled to r.e HB and CTB. I could potentially end up with a massive bill / legal action / eviction if it goes on that long! I can't pay the full amount on our meagre earnings. Is there any way I can get them to look at it sooner?

Nickynoo1

if you get an eviction notice take it to HB, that should get you looked at as a priority. Which area do you live, just wondered as that seems a very big backlog.

Nickynoo1

Anneliese13

Sorry Nickynoo 1 I missed that post. The lady was wrong anyway as it's not a new claim.

I received a letter today showing a different amount of benefit for each of the last six weeks, though all the figures were very similar, and it included the statement that from now on I would receive approx £20 HB and £9 CTB.

It seems to be correctly based on my partner's projected earnings and our TC award. Does this mean that they have done their average assessment and that unless DP suddenly starts earning over the amount estimated, I don't have to hand in the forms each week?

I'm only asking because the baby will be here soon, and they do insist that you take a ticket and wait - and wait, if only to get a piece of paper photocopied.