No Housing Benefit Entitlement

MiShell

Hi,

I'm a single mum and I've recently returned to part-time work after suffering a long bout of depression that culminated in a breakdown. I was excited about getting back out there until I realised that since I am no longer entitled to Housing Benefit or Council Tax reduction half of my monthly wage will be gone .

I will be getting £752 a month, my rent is £292 a month and council tax £80, therefore £372 will be gone from that small wage. Now I am aware that benefits should go to the most vulnerable and that we are lucky to be in a country that pays them, so please no comments about how lazy I am for not working full-time blah blah, judgemental trolls will be ignored. I am working my way towards full-time work but it simply feels unreasonable that I not receive some help with my rent and Council Tax, as the amount that is left from my wage makes it feels as though there is little point in returning to work.

When I worked part-time five years ago, prior to becoming self-employed, I earned the same and had all my rent covered by housing benefit. I remember at the time feeling that this was excessive, as I should have been expected to pay something and yet the rules now seem to swing towards the opposite extreme. To those in the know do the figures seem correct, that I should not qualify for Housing Benefit on that wage? Any help or advice welcome. Thanks

pcman1985

You'd probably need to claim Universal Credit now.
Would need more information to find out but on that wage you should surely get something
Over/Under 25?
Social or Private rent?
Rent free weeks?
Number of bedrooms?
Age of child?
Any disabilities?

tacpot12

You can check your entitlement to benefits at https://www.entitledto.co.uk.

I think you will find that you are entitled to quite a bit of help via Universal Credit.

pmlindyloo

It would help us if you gave more details.....

Single mum - how many children? ages? Are you not receiving child tax credits? Child benefit?

What benefits were you claiming whilst sick?

Savings?

Commercial rent or living with family? (Rent seems very low)

Afraid_of_Kittens

You can only claim Houing Benefit if you are a pensioner, seveely disabled or living in a hostel.

To get help with your rent you will need to claim Universal Credit.

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/how_to_claim_housing_benefit/who_can_claim

calcotti

Afraid_of_Kittens wrote: »

You can only claim Houing Benefit if you are a pensioner, seveely disabled or living in a hostel.

To avoid any confusion. Being severely disabled does not entitle someone to claim Housing Benefit, being in receipt of a benefit which includes a Severe Disability Premium does. There are many people who may be severely disabled who will not qualify for a premium even if they are claiming benefits.

The-Joker

It’s all just called universal credit now, it’s what used to be called housing benefit

WhenIam64

It’s all just called universal credit now, it’s what used to be called housing benefit

UC is the overall term for a new benefits system. You can get UC and not housing benefit/housing element. It depends on your circumstances which is what people are trying to ask.

We'll have to wait until the OP comes back.