Proving Housing Benefit for Credit Card

K80_Black

Wasn't sure if this was right for this forum or the CC one. I have a card with Vanquis and have been offered a limit increase. To get it, I have to prove my income. I have solely benefits as income, which I have no problem proving - aside from my housing benefit. It goes directly to the landlord, and I don't have a single scrap of paper proving the amount I get. I called the Housing Executive to ask for some form of proof and they said they couldn't provide it for a credit application! I'm in Northern Ireland if that makes any difference.

Any bright ideas? I don't need the increase desperately as I pay it off every month but it'd be handy to have for future emergencies. I rent through a charity who provide supported accommodation to the mentally ill - I am waiting for my keyworker with the charity to return from leave to see if they can help at all, as I think that's my only option.

Is the response from the Housing Executive normal?! Seems ridiculous to not be able to get a piece of paper saying I get £X per week paid directly to the landlord. Would a SAR provide the information I require?

poppy12345

As you're claiming benefits then you have no income because it's not income, it's benefits. As you have no income then you can't send them any proof. What you need to do is tell them you're claiming benefits.

K80_Black

poppy12345 wrote: »

As you're claiming benefits then you have no income because it's not income, it's benefits. As you have no income then you can't send them any proof. What you need to do is tell them you're claiming benefits.

They're fully aware I am claiming benefits. It is classed as income.


For help and support NOT JUDGEMENT.

McKneff

If you dont need the increase why are you bothering with all this rigmarole.

K80_Black

McKneff wrote: »

If you dont need the increase why are you bothering with all this rigmarole.

Increasing my available credit helps my credit history overall. It shows I can be trusted with higher limits. I am looking to get a mortgage soonish, and every little helps.

Anyone else want to have a dig?

fabforty

Can your landlord confirm that they receive the HB and the amount? Even though it is being paid directly to your landlord, surely you would still have received a decision letter - perhaps you can ask for a copy of this?

poppy12345

K80_Black wrote: »

They're fully aware I am claiming benefits. It is classed as income.


For help and support NOT JUDGEMENT.

Claiming a benefit is not classed as income because it's a benefit. I'm not judging you. There was no where in my comment that was judgemental!!! For your information, i claim benefits myself and it's certainly not income.

K80_Black

fabforty wrote: »

Can your landlord confirm that they receive the HB and the amount? Even though it is being paid directly to your landlord, surely you would still have received a decision letter - perhaps you can ask for a copy of this?

Thanks, as I said in the OP, I am waiting for my keyworker to return from leave. I have received no letters confirming my housing benefit.

w06

Polly it is INCOME, as in incoming money - in fact on mortgage applications PIP is explicitly counted as such to my surprise. It's not EARNINGS.

K80, do they actually want to see proof? my credit limits seem to go up roughly 6 monthly and I've never provided proof of income (also on UC at the moment and haven't had an income much more than UC in a decade)

K80_Black

w06 wrote: »

K80, do they actually want to see proof? my credit limits seem to go up roughly 6 monthly and I've never provided proof of income (also on UC at the moment and haven't had an income much more than UC in a decade)

Yes, they need proof. I phoned and checked if they could make do with knowing my 'disposable' money and 0 rent, and they could not.

poppy12345 wrote: »

Claiming a benefit is not classed as income because it's a benefit. I'm not judging you. There was no where in my comment that was judgemental!!! For your information, i claim benefits myself and it's certainly not income.

Tell Vanquis it's not income. As they're the ones lending me thousands of pounds, I'm inclined to believe them over you. You implied I had been dishonest in my application and told them I was not on benefits to fraudulently obtain credit. What is that if not judgement?

w06

Suspect Vanquis are particularly stringent on that sort of checking because they sell credit to the high risk market. Must admit I always assumed that my card companies had checked somehow through the financial system