Moving county - single mum

atomic_winter

Hello,
I am looking for some unprejudiced advice. My partner passed away very suddenly 3 months ago and since then I have been a single mother having to rely on income support and tax credits to raise my two girls (aged 6 and 11 months)

I am so incredibly unhappy where I am living and I have hated being here since I moved back after finishing university. I want to move North somewhere, so that I can be closer to friends and make a new start for myself and my children, in a place I can be happy.

My question is: Would moving counties affect my income support or would I just need to file a change of address? I know that I will have to switch housing benefits over as I'd be moving councils but my current rental is so expensive that the deposit I'd get back would easily cover deposit and first month rent on a bigger place up in the North of England.

My plan is to ultimately open my own business, or find work once the youngest is in school, my partner ran his business out of our house which has sadly had to be dissolved since so I'm finding things quite a struggle with that as well.

Would moving to a different county entirely mess everything up financially for me? I hate to think that I'm stuck in a place that makes me feel so depressed

pmlindyloo

Sorry to hear of your loss.

Have you checked to see whether you have calimed any bereavement benefits that you are entitled to:

See here:

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_benefits_introduction_ew/national_insurance_contributions_and_benefits.htm

Moving house should be quite straightforward.

As regards Income support you will have to notify them of a change of address.

https://www.gov.uk/income-support/how-to-claim

As you know you will need to put in an application for HB and CT reduction at your new council.

atomic_winter

Thank you.
I have indeed checked into bereavement benefits but sadly I qualify for nothing, I don't even classify as next-of-kin under commonlaw as we were living together for less than two years. That in itself has caused countless issues regarding his family and the funeral arrangements and contributed to my current situation. His mother has already contacted the tax offices and had our accounts put under suspension and it has taken me the last 3 months struggling to get back on my feet again due to her cancelling our tax credits claim on his behalf, sending tax demands to me for his business, despite the fact that she is his next of kin.


When can I put in an application for HB and CTR at the new council? Can I set it up before I move or does it have to be done once I am in the new address?

pmlindyloo

To claim HB and CT deduction you usually have to show that you are eligible for the rent/council tax.

Therefore you would have had to have signed a new tenancy agreement to be eligible.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Find out what the LHA rates are for the area you plan to move to so you don't move to a bigger house then find you only get a lower amount of Housing Benefit and end up with spiraling rent arrears.

atomic_winter

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

Find out what the LHA rates are for the area you plan to move to so you don't move to a bigger house then find you only get a lower amount of Housing Benefit and end up with spiraling rent arrears.

I've already started looking, thanks. The LHA is lower than what I'm currently entitled to, but the rent is SO much cheaper I would be able to move into a 3 bed so my girls can have a room each and I'd still be financially sound. Yet down here where I am, my LHA covers the rent but it's a tiny little flat on the 4th floor of the block, and I'm stuck because I can't afford to move into anything more suitable because the deposits are too high!

To claim HB and CT deduction you usually have to show that you are eligible for the rent/council tax.

Therefore you would have had to have signed a new tenancy agreement to be eligible.

Does that mean as soon as the tenancy is signed (prior to moving in?)
So I would still need 1st months' rent up front before applying? Need to look realistically at what sort of figures I'd need to save

Housing_Benefit_Officer

You can make an advance claim but nothing will be done with it until you have a tenancy agreement and moved in.

atomic_winter

Thank you!

I assume I would need to phone the council involved and ask for all the correct forms etc?

Sorry, also:
Would my income support be stopped during the moving process as it would be under a new JCP district?

pmlindyloo

Here's a reminder of the form that you have to complete:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/255774/hctb1.pdf

If you look at the check list you will see that there is a note to say that you can send the form in but HB will not be paid until they have all the proof.

Usually the one month's rent is paid in advance and usually one month's deposit.

pmlindyloo

atomic_winter wrote: »

Thank you!

I assume I would need to phone the council involved and ask for all the correct forms etc?

Sorry, also:
Would my income support be stopped during the moving process as it would be under a new JCP district?

Yes, you get the forms from the new council.

Your IS should not stop. Just phone the number on the link I gave you. It is dealt with centrally.

Don't forget to inform Child Benefits and Tax credits. Check if you can do them on line.

atomic_winter

Thank you! If tax credits etc continue then I *Should* be able to manage the move until HB is sorted. I will have to do a lot of planning.

I have saved that link and will start house hunting!