Housing benefit... advice please!!!

John1282

Hi... first off thank you for taking the time to read this, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I split with my partner three years ago and have three children, a daughter who is 10, a son in 6th form who is 17 and a son who is 19 and at university. I work part time and my income is topped up by working tax credits and housing benefit. When my eldest son went to university my working tax credits were reduced but my housing benefit remained the same as the council accepted that my son would have to have a home to return to. He finished for the summer break in may and is due to return to university in late august. Whilst he's been back he has taken on some summer work to build up some savings so he can get himself in front for when he returns to university. I have recently received a letter from housing benefit asking about who is living in the house and asking for pay slips, i'm slightly worried about whether my son working will effect my housing benefit claim, even though he is only doing some summer work to get himself ahead for when he returns. can anyone offer any advice on how or if this will effect my claim?

pmlindyloo

If a full time student at university works during the holidays then their earnings will affect your HB. They will apply a non dependent deduction.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/applying_for_housing_benefit/housing_benefit_when_other_adults_live_in_your_home

Check on your local council website to show how much this is - council name + non dependent deduction HB and CT support.

You could ask your son to pay towards this deduction.

Do not ignore their request for the payslips as they have a habit of stopping the HB until you respond.