How exactly does housing benefit work?

rainbowlover

Hi guys,

I was hoping you could help me with this. It looks like I may have to claim housing benefit for the very first time in a few months and despite doing a whole lot of googling, I've yet to find a clear answer on how it all works.

the main thing I want to know is when I should apply for housing benefit? Do I apply before I find a suitable flat or after I've signed a lease? If it's after, what do I do if my claim is not approved and I'm stuck with a lease I can't pay?

Having never claimed before I'm very confused about it all, so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Caz3121

Housing benefit is paid in arrears and rent usually paid in advance, so you are going to have to find
a) a property that accepts housing benefit (many don't)
b) deposit
c) rent in advance

You can see the figures that they use for calculations in your area by searching on LHA rates
If you are under 35, single and have no children, disabilities then this will be the shared accommodation rate
If you are over 35 or a couple then it is the one bedroom rate

I think you can ask them to do a calculation for you based on the LHA rate and your income but I do not believe that the claim can be processed until you have a liability to pay rent (signed lease)

rainbowlover

Thanks. I should be able to scrape together a deposit and the first months rent in advance. is this likely to be enough or would I need a few months' rent upfront?

enfield_freddy

after receiving a copy of your rent book /lease etc , it often takes up to 6 weeks to sort a payment out , expect many visits to council to tick boxes you have missed

rainbowlover

enfield_freddy wrote: »

after receiving a copy of your rent book /lease etc , it often takes up to 6 weeks to sort a payment out , expect many visits to council to tick boxes you have missed

So it would be wise to have at least a couple of months rent saved up I suppose?

bargainbetty

I have to ask, if you have the means to save up a few months rent, why are you not just paying rent? You only get housing benefit if your earnings are below a certain level or you are in receipt of other benefits, and it is for a fixed sum, not an unlimited rent - these are the LHA rates for your area. My LHA is £650 for a one bedroom flat. The average rent locally is about £50 over that, so you can't guarantee it is all going to be paid.

Perhaps you should speak to an advisor at your local council before you look at flats?

rainbowlover

bargainbetty wrote: »

I have to ask, if you have the means to save up a few months rent, why are you not just paying rent? You only get housing benefit if your earnings are below a certain level or you are in receipt of other benefits, and it is for a fixed sum, not an unlimited rent - these are the LHA rates for your area. My LHA is £650 for a one bedroom flat. The average rent locally is about £50 over that, so you can't guarantee it is all going to be paid.

Perhaps you should speak to an advisor at your local council before you look at flats?

Believe me it would take me quite a while to save up a few months rent. I'm currently self-employed and I won't even be making enough to pay tax this year. I'm just trying to be sensible about it. There's little point in me moving into a place if I'm then going to be unable to pay the rent.

fed_up_and_stressed

Housing benefit claims only start AFTER you have spent a night in the property and in my area the claim starts from the monday after this.

Suggest you either have a look on your councils webpage to find out what the local housing allowance (maximum they would pay for a person with full entitlement) is for a person with your circumstances.

Some councils offer drop ins where you can see assesors who can work out your eligibility

As has been mentioned shared accomodation rate is paid for under 35's no kids. 1 bedroom rate for over 35's or couples. If you have kids they areallowed 1 bedroom for 2 kids same gender up to age 16. Kids of opposite genders are expected to share up to age 10.

Some councils offer a bond scheme where in certain circumstances the council will act as guarantor for the deposit or bond to private landlords to people with housing need who are registered on council waiting lists, in an effort to reduce waiting lists and help vulnerable people into accomodation. Have a word withyour council and see if they offer such a scheme.

rainbowlover

I'm 27. I'm self-employed so the hours I work can vary wildly. I understand this will probably make things a bit more difficult. To be honest, I'm hoping me or my partner will have found new jobs before claiming HB becomes necessary.

rainbowlover

thanks for the replies everyone. I've just called the council and I'll be seeing an advisor next week.