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Housing benefit when I am not claiming benefits or working

Hello
I was just wondering what my entitlement to housing benefit would be in my circumstances, which aren't typical ones. I was diagnosed as bipolar several years ago and as a result, my relationship with my daughters father broke down. My head wasn't in a good place at the time so instead of moving in to my own place, I decided to move back in with my parents until things had improved. My parents are emigrating imminently and selling their house, so I have to find my own place and now feel I am in the right frame of mind to do so.

I have a two year old daughter with heart failure, as a result she is in and out of hospital and requires specialist care. Personally, I don't feel comfortable leaving her in childcare or a nursery so I am unable to work. I currently receive £300 a week in child support from her father as well as DLA (highest rate) and child tax credits. I don't claim income support or careers allowance as I didn't see the point (I was financially ok and although I could have claimed this as child support doesn't count towards income, I didn't feel I needed it.

The cheapest 2 bedroom homes in my area are around £850 a month (which is also the council housing benefits entitlement) I pay minimal rent currently (around £200 a month which is what my parent's asked from me) I am just worrying how I am going to afford the rent plus bills, food etc on the income I have going in.

Can I claim housing benefit despite not being on income support or careers allowance? even if it just a portion of it. Will they count my child support as being income? I plan to go back to work in the future, preferably when my daughter starts school.

Comments

  • pmlindyloo
    pmlindyloo Posts: 13,073 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    So what are your financial circumstances now? Do you have savings over £16000?

    Although it is possible to claim HB on a nil income it seems to be extremely difficult as they question what you are living on (and suspect that you are working cash in hand)

    You can certainly try and since you are receiving £300 in child support then it may not be a problem since you can show that you are receiving this.

    Child Support is not counted for either Carer's Allowance or Income Support or Housing Benefit or Council tax Reduction.

    My suggestion would be to claim Housing Benefit and see what they say. Do be aware that you should be subject to the local housing allowance (check this on your local council's website so may have to find a 'top up' to your rent yourself.

    If claiming HB proves to be difficult then you do have the options of claiming CA and IS (if you meet the eligibility criteria.) This would give you automatic entitlement to HB and CT reduction.
  • Personally I would claim both carers and income support
  • Alice_Holt
    Alice_Holt Posts: 6,094 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 26 June 2017 at 10:14PM
    If you don't claim IS (assuming savings under £16k) then a HB claim is likely to be scrutinised as the council may think you have an alternative (undeclared) source of income. (Per pmlindyloo)

    If you don't claim CA, then you are not getting NI credits towards your state pension.

    If you have savings over £16K you will not be able to claim HB or IS - as both are means tested benefits.

    Your local CAB will be able to do a benefit check or see https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/AboutYou
    Child Support payments are treated generously when calculating benefits ( I think they are disregarded, but do check this).
    Alice Holt Forest situated some 4 miles south of Farnham forms the most northerly gateway to the South Downs National Park.
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