Housing Benefit for young people

callum9999

Hi,

I'm going to make an appointment to see the CAB soon, but in the meantime so we can start looking for somewhere, does anyone know about exemptions to the shared accommodation allowance?

My sister is 19 in full-time higher education (a college course) and I need to find her a place to live following the death of our single mother (there is no family around this area). I know normally that being under 35 she would only qualify for the shared accommodation allowance, but we've been told by a few people that given her situation (I'm not sure whether it's the full-time education bit or the death of our mother forcing her to move?) she can get the normal housing benefit rate for 1 bedroom. However, I can't find anything about this online. Is that because it's a "niche" thing, or does it not actually exist?

Thanks.

stevemLS

If she is a full time student at university I don't think she will be eligible at all for Housing Benefits.

Sadly, and sorry for your loss, but I don't think the death of your mother will have any bearing on it.

callum9999

stevemLS wrote: »

If she is a full time student at university I don't think she will be eligible at all for Housing Benefits.

Sadly, and sorry for your loss, but I don't think the death of your mother will have any bearing on it.

Thanks.

She's a full-time student at college, not university, and my mum was receiving child benefit/tax credit so was being treated as a child within the benefits system. I thought that might change things?

McKneff

It doesn't change things unfortunately.
Your sister, at 19 is classed as an adult and will be treated as such now.


Can you take her in and she could look for a part time job to help out with household expenses.

callum9999

McKneff wrote: »

It doesn't change things unfortunately.
Your sister, at 19 is classed as an adult and will be treated as such now.


Can you take her in and she could look for a part time job to help out with household expenses.

Well I could as a last resort, but I'm a student in a share house several hundred miles away. She'd have to drop out of college and sleep on a floor... More realistically she'd go and live with my Aunt, but that would still result in her having to drop out of college.

I don't mean to insult you both or anything, but are you both certain that is how it works or do you just think it is? It seems strange for her to be treated like any other adult despite anyone looking after her being eligible for child benefit etc!

Thanks again.

pmlindyloo

Your sister needs to apply for Income Support which will then make her eligible for HB.

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/information__resources/benefits/young_people/benefits_and_young_people.aspx

Where is she living at the moment?

Unless she gets social housing then she will only be entitled to the shared room (house ) rate.

Has she spoken to the welfare department at her college? They may have a bursary which she can apply for.

A shared house might be an option or perhaps lodging with a family (perhaps one of her college friends?)

Sorry for your loss and I hope things get sorted.

sheramber

Have a read here

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/benefits_w/benefits_help_if_on_a_low_income_ew/help_with_your_rent_-_housing_benefit.htm#if_you_are_a_student

stevemLS

Can she not move into a shared house where the rent may be covered by the shared room rate?

How is she otherwise going to support herself - living costs etc, if she is full time she will not be eligible to other benefits.

Her college should have a Welfare Officer who might be able to tell her about any bursaries or grants that might be available.

xylophone

Could she transfer to a college near your aunt?

Housing_Benefit_Officer

callum9999 wrote: »

Hi,

I'm going to make an appointment to see the CAB soon, but in the meantime so we can start looking for somewhere, does anyone know about exemptions to the shared accommodation allowance?

My sister is 19 in full-time higher education (a college course) and I need to find her a place to live following the death of our single mother (there is no family around this area). I know normally that being under 35 she would only qualify for the shared accommodation allowance, but we've been told by a few people that given her situation (I'm not sure whether it's the full-time education bit or the death of our mother forcing her to move?) she can get the normal housing benefit rate for 1 bedroom. However, I can't find anything about this online. Is that because it's a "niche" thing, or does it not actually exist?

Thanks.

Bereavement protection doesn't cover this scenario

Is she still living in the same property your late Mother lived in?

callum9999

Thanks for all the replies.

Yes a shared house is an option. She doesn't really know anyone well enough to move in with (we've only lived here a year and she was my mums carer so only spent the bare minimum of time at college) but finding a room somewhere is definitely being looked at. It would merely be preferable to get a studio flat, particularly as it would be nice not to have to get rid of our dog (a "luxury" I know, but she's almost like a sibling!). At the moment we're in my mums rented house but will need to move out shortly.

She has spoken to the welfare officer at her college and knows she can get income support. The welfare officer apparently told her she'd get the full housing benefit rate, but they are now on half term so I can't go in to make sure she explained her situation properly.

We have enough money to support her at the moment and she will be applying for apprenticeships at the end of the current school year.

She certainly wouldn't want to move that far away and live with my aunt (there is no spare room so it would be on a sofa-bed), and I don't know if there's a suitable college that could take her, but if worst comes to worst then again, it's an option.

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

Bereavement protection doesn't cover this scenario

Is she still living in the same property your late Mother lived in?

Yes she is.