Housing benefit

BigAunty

HappyMJ wrote: »

It's possible that they'll pay the rent in full. It's more likely you'll just get the LHA rate of around £81.

There are exemptions from the shared accommodation rate of LHA for the under 35s as follows which means it is possible for those with severe disabilities to qualify for the 1 bedroom rate. What's the 1 bedroom rate for the OPs postcode, if he qualifies on those grounds ? :-

• you are severely disabled and get the middle or higher rate care component of Disability Living Allowance (or either rate of the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment).

HappyMJ

BigAunty wrote: »

There are exemptions from the shared accommodation rate of LHA for the under 35s as follows which means it is possible for those with severe disabilities to qualify for the 1 bedroom rate. What's the 1 bedroom rate for the OPs postcode, if he qualifies on those grounds ? :-

• you are severely disabled and get the middle or higher rate care component of Disability Living Allowance (or either rate of the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment).

£81 is the 1 bedroom rate.

The shared accommodation rate is £60 per week

Sheffield 1 bed rate is £94.80 and shared rate is £64.41.

FrankR

Any amount of housing benefit would help, but I think student accommodation is classed as living independently even though you may share some utilities.

FrankR

Which website are you getting those numbers from HappyMJ?

HappyMJ

FrankR wrote: »

Which website are you getting those numbers from HappyMJ?

https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/benefit/payments/localhousingallowance.html

BigAunty

HappyMJ wrote: »

£81 is the 1 bedroom rate.

The shared accommodation rate is £60 per week

Sheffield 1 bed rate is £94.80 and shared rate is £64.41.

Wow, that's spectacularly ungenerous, though I appreciate that the percentile is worked out on the lowest third of local rents, a formula applied nationally.

The OP would need to find an additional £35- 49 a week, quite a lot for a top up from existing income.

FrankR

My student loan will cover the rest of the accommodation costs hopefully.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Question I would ask if someone applies for DHP for a rent shortfall is if you knew in advance you couldn't afford the rent then why did you move into an unaffordable home?

All your income will be taken into account when looking at any DHP award - including Student Loans.

If we consider a DHP award then we might only award it for a few months - time for them to give notice on their expensive property and move out to cheaper alternative accommodation. DHP rarely rolls on year after year after year.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

FrankR wrote: »

My student loan will cover the rest of the accommodation costs hopefully.

Your student loan is treated as income (with some disregards) and may reduce your ESA or disqualify you from receiving ESA. If your ESA ceases then your student loan is also treated as income (with some disregards) for Housing Benefit purposes and may reduce the amount of Housing Benefit you will qualify for.

You will either have reduced ESA or reduced HB entitlement.

You will need to find out from the DWP if your ESA will reduce or cease due to your student income.

And yes student loans are treated as income for benefit purposes.

...and if you refuse to take student income to increase your benefits then the regulations state we still have to treat you as if you were receiving full student income.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Looking at some of your previous pots you also have £200 per month pension from your deceased father so that would be treated as income as well.