Housing benefit question

Confusedheart

Hi,
I've tried googling but have not come across the answer so not sure I'm searching correctly.

But basically if a single man made a claim for housing benefit would just his wages be taken into account or do they take into account that he pays out child maintenance.

Based on his wages he would not be entitled to much help but on his income after maintenance he would.

Sorry if its been asked before
Xx

pmlindyloo

Confusedheart wrote: »

Hi,
I've tried googling but have not come across the answer so not sure I'm searching correctly.

But basically if a single man made a claim for housing benefit would just his wages be taken into account or do they take into account that he pays out child maintenance.

Based on his wages he would not be entitled to much help but on his income after maintenance he would.

Sorry if its been asked before
Xx

I can't find a link either

But I am pretty certain that child maintenance is not deducted.

Personally I think this is one of the anomalies that needs correcting. For the resident parent the child maintenance is disregarded for benefit purposes so you would have thought that it would work the other way round especially if it means that benefits have to be claimed to 'get by.'

The only thing I can suggest is that the person in question checks that they are not paying 'over the odds' as regards child maintenance as the non resident parent should be left with enough to live on.

If the non resident has the child(ren) overnight on a regualr basis but only is eligible for the shared rate/one bed rate of local housing allowance then it may be worth applying for a Discretionary Housing Payment.

nannytone_2

child maintenance would not be taken into account.
it is treated the same as any debt you may have

nannytone_2

pmlindyloo wrote: »

I can't find a link either

But I am pretty certain that child maintenance is not deducted.

Personally I think this is one of the anomalies that needs correcting. For the resident parent the child maintenance is disregarded for benefit purposes so you would have thought that it would work the other way round especially if it means that benefits have to be claimed to 'get by.'

The only thing I can suggest is that the person in question checks that they are not paying 'over the odds' as regards child maintenance as the non resident parent should be left with enough to live on.

If the non resident has the child(ren) overnight on a regualr basis but only is eligible for the shared rate/one bed rate of local housing allowance then it may be worth applying for a Discretionary Housing Payment.

i , like many others, thought it was a silly thing to do when the powers that be decided that child maintenance should be disregarded.
but if you look at it another way ...
if it was disregarded then the OP would be receiving 'extra' benefitand so the state would be contributing towards his responsibilites towards his children.

fluffymovie

As stated, child maintenance paid out isn't taken into account but if he was entitled to even £0.50 Housing Benefit, he could apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment and then we are able to look at his outgoings as well as income so he may receive additional support that way.