Compliance office interview at job centre

dogowner

I have got to go to an compliance interview at our local job centre. I'm a little concerned regarding the reason. However, I think it's because I asked permission with my H/Association for family members to rent a room. I informed H/Benefit and C/Tax and explained, in turn they wrote back explaining they were being classed as non dependants.The problem developed from there I think. The discrepancy between non dependents and renting. I think its the way I wrote the letter but being fair that was our intention until they were assessed and the H/B wrote back. I have never charged rent because of the decision by H/B but they contribute between us for any bills that's come in, can someone clarify this for me, thank you.

Caz3121

If you have a non-dependent living with you then your housing benefit will be reduced, whether they contribute to the rent or not. If you search for non-dependent deductions on your councils site you will see the amounts based on the non-dependents income and it would only be fair that you take a contribution off them to make up the difference rather than them live rent free whilst housing benefit pays the rent
However, if you were previously affected by the bedroom tax, now you no longer have a spare room the reduction for that will also be removed so, depending on their income you may be no better or worse off
This is assuming you do not receive DLA, in which case there would be no non-dependent deduction

AsknAnswer2

If you are receiving an income based benefit then any income that you are receiving payments toward board/lodging or are subletting then these payments MAY be classified as income for your claim. There are rules though if the person is deemed a close relative and depending on the type of accommodation offered.

It might be that the jobcentre have information that there are people living in your home but don't know the details and are looking to clarify this.