Housing Benefit Interview?

whambam

When making an application for housing benefit does the applicant require to attend an interview or are applications done electronically and decision gets made without an interview?

I know they are compliance interviews with HB, but are they application interviews as well?

Also, when renting from a housing association does that require a face to face interview or is it done all over the phone or internet?

poppy12345

whambam wrote: »

When making an application for housing benefit does the applicant require to attend an interview or are applications done electronically and decision gets made without an interview?

I know they are compliance interviews with HB, but are they application interviews as well?

Also, when renting from a housing association does that require a face to face interview or is it done all over the phone or internet?

In all the years i've claimed HB i've never had to have an interview when claiming from a new area and i've rented from private and social housing.



You just need to send proof, bank statements, tenancy agreement etc. Of course if the area is a full Universal Credit area then you won't be able to claim HB it will be UC.

w06

depends what you mean by an interview, our council needed you to take documents in in person and answer a few questions

whambam

poppy12345 wrote: »

In all the years i've claimed HB i've never had to have an interview when claiming from a new area and i've rented from private and social housing.



You just need to send proof, bank statements, tenancy agreement etc. Of course if the area is a full Universal Credit area then you won't be able to claim HB it will be UC.

Thats good. Can you claim housing benefit before agreeing to a tenancy agreement? They did ask to send proof of TA, however I am checking to see if I am eligible for housing benefit before making advances.

pmlindyloo

whambam wrote: »

Thats good. Can you claim housing benefit before agreeing to a tenancy agreement? They did ask to send proof of TA, however I am checking to see if I am eligible for housing benefit before making advances.

You would need a tenancy agreement before you would be eligible for Housing Benefit if you were renting a house/flat. If you were a lodger you would need a letter from the landlord. They do have to know that you have a rent liability.

You could put your details into a benefits calculator - https://www.turn2us.org.uk - to see if you are eligible.

poppy12345

Is the area you're hoping to live in a full UC area? Check here. http://ucpostcode.entitledto.co.uk/ucdate

whambam

poppy12345 wrote: »

Is the area you're hoping to live in a full UC area? Check here. http://ucpostcode.entitledto.co.uk/ucdate

UC will be rolling out from September 2018?

pmlindyloo wrote: »

You would need a tenancy agreement before you would be eligible for Housing Benefit if you were renting a house/flat. If you were a lodger you would need a letter from the landlord. They do have to know that you have a rent liability.

You could put your details into a benefits calculator - https://www.turn2us.org.uk - to see if you are eligible.

The benefits calculator says I am eligible, but not guaranteed and subject to change depending on the paperwork etc.

I would rather know 100% i could get housing benefit before applying and paying a deposit and doing home visits to view properties.

marliepanda

whambam wrote: »

UC will be rolling out from September 2018?

In some areas yes. Not all. Did you use your postcode to check that?

marliepanda

whambam wrote: »

UC will be rolling out from September 2018?



The benefits calculator says I am eligible, but not guaranteed and subject to change depending on the paperwork etc.

I would rather know 100% i could get housing benefit before applying and paying a deposit and doing home visits to view properties.

The benefits calculators are fairly accurate as long as you put in accurate information.

You will not get a HB award before a tenancy. They won’t even process your claim, they will take the same info as you put into the calculators to say yes or no, but your claim won’t be started and there will be no definite yes or no or amounts until you do.

whambam

marliepanda wrote: »

The benefits calculators are fairly accurate as long as you put in accurate information.

You will not get a HB award before a tenancy. They won’t even process your claim, they will take the same info as you put into the calculators to say yes or no, but your claim won’t be started and there will be no definite yes or no or amounts until you do.

I've not rented before so I don't know how accurate they are. I need small adaptations done to the property before moving in and this website claims you can claim housing benefit 4 weeks prior to moving in?

https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/advice_topics/paying_for_a_home/housing_benefit/housing_benefit_before_you_move_in

pmlindyloo

whambam wrote: »

I've not rented before so I don't know how accurate they are. I need small adaptations done to the property before moving in and this website claims you can claim housing benefit 4 weeks prior to moving in?

https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/advice_topics/paying_for_a_home/housing_benefit/housing_benefit_before_you_move_in

There are certain people who claim benefits who are automatically entitled to Housing Benefit up to their local housing allowance.

If you care to share information about your situation then we may be able to help further. So, single/couple/children/working/income/savings/disabilities?

Have a read of this:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/housing-benefit/help-with-your-rent-housing-benefit/

As regards needing adaptations done before you move in what kind of adaptations would you need? Your landlord may have to give permission for this.