Help for new mum with no income

bestpud

I'm asking on behalf of someone my mum knows - I hope it's the right board!

Her GD has just had a baby (my mum thinks she is over 18 but not sure) and is only receiving child benefit atm.

She is living in a privately rented house (her and baby) and her mum is paying the rent. The landlord does not want DSS tenants so they are worried she will be evicted if she claims HB. Is this a possibility?

Also, she should be entitled to, at least, ctc shouldn't she? She isn't working at the moment but has part-time work available to her when the baby is a bit older.

The father isn't contributing at all atm, unfortunately, but I assume he would be contacted if she applied for benefits?

Can she claim the grant for people on low incomes or income support etc and if she can, how does she go about it? I claimed it for my littlie several years ago but was pregnant and the midwife just gave me a form to take to the Benefits agency - what happens once the baby is born though?

I've suggested the CAB would be a good place to find out what help she can get and how to go about it but other than that, would it be the benefits agency, job centre plus or inland revenue (or something completely different) she should contact?

Thanks in advance

Bestpud

TheWaltons_3

Even if she is under 18, once having a baby you are entitled to IS - my friends Sister is 16 (17 now). She gets full housing benefit, full benefits... child benefits.. and CSA from her 17 yr old boyfriend, who works full time.

If her mum or whoever it is keeps paying the rent whilst making an application for HB, there is no need for the Landlord even know that she is claiming and paying with HB. The Landlord wont lose out as his rent is being paid, and probably wont care less, should he ever find out.

bestpud

Thanks, do you know where she needs to go to sort out benefits thse days?

re the HB- I thought that as effectively the landlord is getting a guarantor (sp?) in the mum - just not sure if there are any legal issues in saying nothing?

Hapless_2

If her mum or whoever it is keeps paying the rent whilst making an application for HB, there is no need for the Landlord even know that she is claiming and paying with HB. The Landlord wont lose out as his rent is being paid, and probably wont care less, should he ever find out.

Claiming Housing benefit may be breaking the terms of her lease if this is the case then the landlord can seek grounds for posession. Although reciept of benefit is not in itself a grounds for eviction, it is possible that having someone who claims housing benefit invalidates his landlords insurance and mortgage agreement therefore giving him the grounds.

bestpud

I guess the alternative would be her registering as homeless - I guess they will have to come clean and see wha happens with the tenancy.

Thanks

TheWaltons_3

bestpud wrote: »

I guess the alternative would be her registering as homeless - I guess they will have to come clean and see wha happens with the tenancy.

Thanks

Well, if she has been a good tenant up until now.. the Landlord may not be worried AND, this is only PRESUMING he wont accept DSS.

If it's anywhere like our local area, only the 'posh' areas would decline DSS. It is not difficult to get a 1 bed/2 bed flat at all with HB.

bestpud

He has apprently stipulated he didn't want DSS which is why the mum has been paying rent for her but this obviously can't continue long term. I'm not sure how long she has had the tenancy though.

I think their best bet is going to be the CAB, especially if there is a chance the landlord could evict them, as they can have a look at her situation from every angle.

TheWaltons_3

bestpud wrote: »

He has apprently stipulated he didn't want DSS which is why the mum has been paying rent for her but this obviously can't continue long term. I'm not sure how long she has had the tenancy though.

I think their best bet is going to be the CAB, especially if there is a chance the landlord could evict them, as they can have a look at her situation from every angle.

Ahhh OK, but he could have said this.. just because he expected a Scally. There is a small chance, since he knows the Tenant now.. he may accept HB and he will already know the Mum is good for her word, as she has been paying.

honesty is always the best policy though in the end.

I know of people living in beautiful flats claiming DSS and the LL aren't really bothered so long as their cash is there.

It disgusts me that people who are on DSS need seperate insurances.

People are on DSS for many genuine reasons. Many professional people end up on DSS.

We all know life isn't fair though!