Will you get paid housing benefit if you pay 6 months in advance?

jonas07

i spoke with the council housing dept who told me if we help our daughter by paying 6 months rent in advance then she will not qualify for housing benefit - even tho this is a loan and no-one will rent to her . Does anyone have any similar experience?

calcotti

jonas07 wrote: »

i spoke with the council housing dept who told me if we help our daughter by paying 6 months rent in advance then she will not qualify for housing benefit - even tho this is a loan and no-one will rent to her . Does anyone have any similar experience?

If your daughter is not already claiming Housng Benefit she cannot claim it because no new claims can be made (unless she already receives a welfare benefit containing a Severe Disability Premium or the accommodation is temporary or supported housing.
https://www.gov.uk/housing-benefit
Unless these circumstances apply, if your daughter needs help with rent she should apply forUniversal Credit.

Fire_Fox

jonas07 wrote: »

i spoke with the council housing dept who told me if we help our daughter by paying 6 months rent in advance then she will not qualify for housing benefit - even tho this is a loan and no-one will rent to her . Does anyone have any similar experience?

Have they not provided any more information at all?

I wonder if the council are considering this a contrived arrangement: a non-commercial 'loan' in order to claim benefits (or to claim a higher rate, eg. for a flat rather than a room).

calcotti

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Have they not provided any more information at all?

I wonder if the council are considering this a contrived arrangement: a non-commercial 'loan' in order to claim benefits (or to claim a higher rate, eg. for a flat rather than a room).

I think they are just telling her that she can’t claim Housing Benefit (new claims not allowed). However without knowing exactly what has been said it is not possible to be certain. If OP asked whether HB is payable if rent is paid in advance and LA said it’s not payable because rent paid in advance that is one thing, if they simply said HB is not payable that is another.

Afraid_of_Kittens

jonas07 wrote: »

i spoke with the council housing dept who told me if we help our daughter by paying 6 months rent in advance then she will not qualify for housing benefit - even tho this is a loan and no-one will rent to her . Does anyone have any similar experience?

No new claims for Housing Benefit. She will need to claim Universal credit.

ebevrd75

Hi,
similar question. I’ve been living off equity from sale of house (am disabled so stopped claiming benefits because of that money). Had to pay the landlord last of that money recently (6 months rent upfront as no guarantor). Then had to make a uc claim after that as had no money to live on left.. what happens with housing element as landlord is paid until jan?

calcotti

ebevrd75 said:

Hi,
similar question. I’ve been living off equity from sale of house (am disabled so stopped claiming benefits because of that money). Had to pay the landlord last of that money recently (6 months rent upfront as no guarantor). Then had to make a uc claim after that as had no money to live on left.. what happens with housing element as landlord is paid until jan?

Better to start your own thread to avoid confusion. However ..

You are entitled to a housing element based on your rental agreement (and the applicable Local Housing Allowance). It doesn't matter if rent has been paid in advance, you will still be entitled to the housing element.

You would have been better claiming UC as soon as capital dropped below £16,000 rather than wait until it is all gone.

Having capital would not affect non means tested benefits such as PIP or contribution based ESA so I hope you didn't stop those due to the equity sum.