Housing Benefit query

lisax_2

Hi hope someone can help with this. .. recently split up with my husband and he has moved out. I work 25 hours a week, earning £8 an hour term time only which means I am there for my children, although in the future I will have to temp during the holidays. I also receive mileage at 45p a mile which shows up on my payslips. I receive £120 week wtc /ctc I applied for housing benefit and was awarded a figure which has changed twice in the last couple of months and I now receive £19 a week towards my rent (550 per month). My kids are 11 and 16. My husband hasn't given me any maintenance since before Christmas and I am really struggling to keep afloat... does this £19 a week housing benefit sound about right...

Toomuchdebt

That doesn't sound right to me. I would have thought you would get more.

lighting_up_the_chalice

Toomuchdebt wrote: »

That doesn't sound right to me. I would have thought you would get more.

Depends on LHA rates where she lives.

Poppie68

Have you tried any of the benefit calculators?...Turn2us is a good one...sorry unable to provide link.

NYM

Is this the one ? Turn2us...

allen35

Check through your most recent award letter and calculate what income they are using.

I would certainly be expecting in excess of £70 pw.

I can only presume they have used your petrol allowance as income.

Is the expenses clear enough on your wage slip or did you notify them that mileage is included when you submitted your wage slips.

BigAunty

To find out how to get child maintenance from a reluctant non-resident parent, see the child support section of the Direct Gov website or ask on the child support board on MSE.

Poppie68

Your income is approx £1400 including your HB maybe their calculation is correct.but wouldn't you be entitled to more the weeks you don't work?

dodger1

Poppie68 wrote: »

Your income is approx £1400 including your HB maybe their calculation is correct.but wouldn't you be entitled to more the weeks you don't work?

That's what I was thinking, take home pay and tax credits come to around £320 per week so doubt HB would be very much during term time. OP what are the ages and sex of the children?

allen35

As a single parent and bringing in the following income:

EI: £192.72 (possibly less for pension contribution)
TC: £120
CB: £34.05

Total: £346.77

In a scenario of someone renting for £550 pcm can expect up to £71.88 pw if their LHA rate was £103 and approx' £5 towards their CT bill.

It seems the expenses are being used as earned income.

dodger1

allen35 wrote: »

As a single parent and bringing in the following income:

EI: £192.72 (possibly less for pension contribution)
TC: £120
CB: £34.05

Total: £346.77

In a scenario of someone renting for £550 pcm can expect up to £71.88 pw if their LHA rate was £103 and approx' £5 towards their CT bill.

It seems the expenses are being used as earned income.

I'm genuinely shocked at that figure although I don't blame anyone for applying for it. That would mean having to pay just £55 a week towards the rent each week out of £346 leaving £291 a week for living costs.........or have I misunderstood?