Think I am being underpaid Housing Benefit

apronedsamurai

Hi,

I am in Scotland.

Private tenant, so my HB is calculated by virtue of LHA.

Currently, I am on income-related ESA (support group)
PIP (both daily living and care components, standard rate)
I am also classed as severely disabled meaning I am entitled to an additional bedroom due to my disability.

My gross rent is £320 a month, but I am only being paid £73.85 a week (£295.40 a month)

It was explained that they multiplied 320 by 12 then divide by 52 to get the weekly value.

However, I thought that the fact that I was on income-related benefits would mean that the entirety of my rent would be covered.....?

I am quoting Citizens Advice Bureau here:

"If you're on benefits
If you are on Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or the guarantee credit of Pension Credit (whether you get it on its own or with the savings credit), Housing Benefit will cover all of your eligible rent"

Also, quoting Shelter here:

"If you rent privately then your housing benefit is calculated using the local housing allowance (LHA) rules. If you get means-tested benefits, you will usually get the maximum LHA rate for your household unless you are subject to non-dependant deductions or the benefit cap applies.

I have no non-dependant deductions, the benefit cap does not apply.....

so I fail to see how my LHA is £92.06 but my Weekly Housing Benefit is £73.85.

Kim_kim

apronedsamurai wrote: »

Hi,

I am in Scotland.

Private tenant, so my HB is calculated by virtue of LHA.

Currently, I am on income-related ESA (support group)
PIP (both daily living and care components, standard rate)
I am also classed as severely disabled meaning I am entitled to an additional bedroom due to my disability.

My gross rent is £320 a month, but I am only being paid £73.85 a week (£295.40 a month)

It was explained that they multiplied 320 by 12 then divide by 52 to get the weekly value.

However, I thought that the fact that I was on income-related benefits would mean that the entirety of my rent would be covered.....?

There are more than 4 weeks in every month.

apronedsamurai

I don't follow.

Kim_kim

You get £73.85 housing benefit a week, that’s £3,840.20 a year.

Your rent is £320 a month, that’s £3,840 a year.

antrobus

Kim_kim wrote: »

You get £73.85 housing benefit a week, that’s £3,840.20 a year.

Your rent is £320 a month, that’s £3,840 a year.

The Scottish education system clearly needs reform.:)

Silvertabby

Kim_kim wrote: »

You get £73.85 housing benefit a week, that’s £3,840.20 a year.

Your rent is £320 a month, that’s £3,840 a year.

It's even better than that. There are 52.17 weeks per year, so:

£73.85 x 52.17 = £3852.75

That's what happens when you have to pay a calendar monthly bill with a weekly benefit - it'll never be exact, but at least you are in pocket!

tboo

apronedsamurai wrote: »

Hi,

I am in Scotland.

Private tenant, so my HB is calculated by virtue of LHA.

Currently, I am on income-related ESA (support group)
PIP (both daily living and care components, standard rate)
I am also classed as severely disabled meaning I am entitled to an additional bedroom due to my disability.

My gross rent is £320 a month, but I am only being paid £73.85 a week (£295.40 a month)

It was explained that they multiplied 320 by 12 then divide by 52 to get the weekly value.

However, I thought that the fact that I was on income-related benefits would mean that the entirety of my rent would be covered.....?

I am quoting Citizens Advice Bureau here:

"If you're on benefits
If you are on Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or the guarantee credit of Pension Credit (whether you get it on its own or with the savings credit), Housing Benefit will cover all of your eligible rent"

Also, quoting Shelter here:

"If you rent privately then your housing benefit is calculated using the local housing allowance (LHA) rules. If you get means-tested benefits, you will usually get the maximum LHA rate for your household unless you are subject to non-dependant deductions or the benefit cap applies.

I have no non-dependant deductions, the benefit cap does not apply.....

so I fail to see how my LHA is £92.06 but my Weekly Housing Benefit is £73.85.

you will either get the LHA rate or the rent - which ever is lower


and

The £73.85 does equal your rent - £320 x 12 / 52 = £73.846 week

Pixiedust22

It's because Housing Benefit does not pay monthly, they pay four-weekly, so there will always be a small shortfall. It doesn't make any sense since rent isn't generally charged four-weekly, but that's how it is... so at £73.85 a week you are getting the whole rent paid over the year, but most months you will get £295.40 and then once a year or so you will get two lots of £295.40 paid in the same month which "makes up" the shortfall.

Craig1981

if you are on good relations with your landlord, ask him if you can pay your rent 4 weekly or weekly instead. out goes the confusion

Afraid_of_Kittens

In a year you pay 12 payments to your landlord.

You receive in a year 13 payments from Housing Benefit.

Simples as the other sites Meerkats say.

w06

£73.85 x 52/12 = £320/month