First post - Housing benefit entitlement

willow12

Hello!

I wonder if anyone might be able to help.

I am self employed and have been a low earner for around 7 years, earned below the level of tax and NI threshold, so haven't paid NI for at least 7 years, possibly more. I have all my self employment tax record to prove this.

In all that time i have been living with my parents, rent free, so have never needed to claim benefits before.

The situation currently is that i am retraining to do a job that actually pays some money! I have completed the first year, have possibly three more years to go. It is a vocational course under an industry body, so not at a a college and it is one full day a week, school terms only.

I have been offered the rent on a tiny one bed cottage through a contact of my friends. At the moment i don't know what market rent is as they are waiting for the tenants to move out and then they are going to get the letting agents in to assess.

My question is, given my situation, would i be in a position to claim housing/council tax benefit? I have no dependents and am not homeless, although the situation at home now is pretty fraught. I am also wondering if one has to be on income support to be able to claim housing benefit?

From the literatire i read it seemed that i might qualify, i don't have savings of over 6k and am on a low income, but i don't want to get my hopes up and then find i don't fit the criteria after all.

Thanks very much.

sorted_2

You don't have to be on income support to claim housing and council tax benefit.
I live on my own and claim both. I think there is a limit on what they pay though so I would go and enquire.

ClaretGeoff

it depends on the level of your earnings and the level of rent for the property.
If you are below the threshold of paying Tax & NI, then I would say you would qualify.
Your claim will be assessed based on your "applicable amount", which will be around £57.45 a week if you are single, 25 or over, with no dependants. (it'll be less if you're under 25, maybe about £45) They will take 65% of any income over this amount and deduct this from the full entitlement to Housing Benefit

I.e - Applicable amount - 57.45, earnings - £75 - difference is £17.55, so 65% of that is £11.41.
Say you're eligible rent was £70 a week, they would take the £11.41 from this and that would be your Housing Benefit entitlement.

As it is a private rent, I would recommend contacting The Rent Service and request a Pre-tenancy determination. This will show an acceptable rent level for the property. This is what Housing benefit will use, and if you're rent is above the level set, they won't pay it all.

ClaretGeoff

Alternatively - a lot of Council Websites offer a 'benefit calculator' - you can go on one of them and it'll show what you're entitled to - I think there's one on the Blackburn Council website

willow12

Thanks very much for yr replies.

I have found the benefit calculator for the council i would be under and it does look as though i would be able to claim!

Thanks very much for all yr help :beer: