SSP and Council tax reduction / other benefits / Am i entitled?

Brown88

I have been on SSP since January and work full time.
My Annual salary is just under 16,000 and pay into a company pension scheme. but since the start of the year my company sick pay has expired due to the amount of time I have been absent recently with stress and anxiety issues. A lot caused by the effects of so many different medication side effects then withdrawals and so on as half these things take weeks. I also have a heart condition which is the main reason I had to come of my previous medication.


I'm currently renting and pay 380 p/m but already receive single persons discount on my council tax (only band 1) so pay around 70.00 tax with the discount. I am desperate to get back to work as will not be able to afford living costs. But unfortunately I really don't think I can cope but am trying my best. For the past 7 month I have received some full pay I must say maybe 2.5 - 3 months out of the 7 in between. As it has been intermittent absences 2 or 3 occasions. So 4 months of SSP approximately.


I was made aware I could claim for a council tax reduction is this correct? I have picked up a form already but was wondering what sort of savings I could make for the time being, and whether they would backdate this if so?


Also is there any other tips or things I could be claiming whilst only on SSP.


I would appreciate any kind of help and input.


With thanks,

pmlindyloo

Whilst on SSP you can claim housing benefit and council tax reduction on the basis of low income. (I am presuming that you are single with no children and savings under £16000)

You will be entitled to an assessment for the full rent for HB purposes (rather than the local housing allowance rate) if you have not claimed HB during the last 52 weeks and were able to afford your rent when you took on the tenancy. The full rent assessment lasts for 13 weeks. This is called the 13 week protection rule. After this you will be assessed under local housing allowance (under 35 shared accommodate rate, over 35 one bed rate - you can look up the rates on your local council website)

When your SSP comes to an end then you can claim Employment Support Allowance if you are not fit for work.. You will require a fit note from your doctor and a SSP1 form from your employer. Don't worry about that now.

Whilst you are on SSP you are considered to be still working for 28 weeks. If you are over 25 then you may also be entitled to working tax credit because of your low income being paid (SSP). However, this does count as income for HB and CT reduction purposes so it may not be worth the hassle claiming it.

I believe that HB and CT reduction can be backdated for one month.

pmlindyloo

My mistake. HB and CT reduction can only be backdated if you can show good reason for not claiming before.

http://www.oxford.gov.uk/PageRender/decCB/Backdating_your_claim_occw.htm

Brown88

Appreciate the response and your time. Yes I am actually 26 and have no children. What are the sort of % rates for the reduction out of curiosity.

pmlindyloo

If your weekly income is more than your Applicable Amount (any income over your Applicable Amount is called "Excess Income") then you are entitled to receive Housing Benefit equal to the weekly Eligible Rent less 65% of the weekly Excess Income figure and less any non-dependant deductions.

(Official blurb!)

So your applicable amount is £72.40 (set by government) so you are entitled to your weekly rent less 65% of the weekly excess income ( yours is the difference between your SSP and the applicable amount)

Remember, if you are entitled to the 13 Week protection - you must ask for this if you are eligible - they do not always advertise it) then they should do this assessment on the actual rent you are paying not the local housing allowance rate.

Sorry, can't help with the council tax as all councils operate their own system.

You could try putting your details into the benefits calculator on https://www.entitledto.co.uk but I don't think they will take into account the 13 week protection rule so the HB award will be wrong. It might help with CT reduction and working tax credits though.

Otherwise just claim!

Hope you feel better soon.