Housing Benefit query

abbiesmom

Hi,
I'm a single parent receiving CTC and WTC full time employed. Due to a change in childcare costs my housing benefit ceased from 1st Sept. My tax credits have now been reduced in line with the reduced childcare costs and I'm entitled to housing benefit again but the housing benefits officer says I can only do this through UC.

I don't want to switch to UC as I can't afford the wait for the 1st payment or the time off work to go to the job centre as I've just switched Employers.

Do I have a case to argue that my housing benefits should just be reinstated as it's just a change of circumstances on the existing claim that has a nil award and if so what regulation do I refer to?

poppy12345

You would not be able to reclaim housing benefit if your awarded ended. Any new claims would have to be UC.



When you first claim UC you can ask for an advance payment, this does need to be repaid back from future payments so do be aware of that.

calcotti

Be aware that if you claim UC your Tax Credits will end. You can use a benefit calculator to assess entitlement to UC here https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

Afraid_of_Kittens

There is no case to argue with your local council. Once Housing Benefit has ended you now have to claim Universal Credit. There are no regulations to help you.

calcotti

Afraid_of_Kittens wrote: »

There is no case to argue with your local council. Once Housing Benefit has ended you now have to claim Universal Credit....

..... if you want help with your rent.

abbiesmom

Thank you everybody, really disappointed with this news. I don't think I can manage the wait for a payment even with an advance due to the timings of my bills going out which are spread throughout the month online with my TC payments

poppy12345

abbiesmom wrote: »

Thank you everybody, really disappointed with this news. I don't think I can manage the wait for a payment even with an advance due to the timings of my bills going out which are spread throughout the month online with my TC payments

Have you put your details into the benefits calculator above? Once you apply for an advance payment it's paid very quickly, which will help with your bills until your first UC payment. That's what an advance payment is for.

Afraid_of_Kittens

abbiesmom wrote: »

Thank you everybody, really disappointed with this news. I don't think I can manage the wait for a payment even with an advance due to the timings of my bills going out which are spread throughout the month online with my TC payments

Every day you don't claim is a day further away from being paid...

calcotti

Afraid_of_Kittens wrote: »

Every day you don't claim is a day further away from being paid...

But OP should do a benefits check first. Depending on circumstances, if help with rent is only going to be a small amount, they may be no better off on UC compared to just carrying on with existing Tax Credits only.

abbiesmom

Hi, benefits checked has always shown I'd be better off on UC by around £20 per week but I've always been put off switching by the long wait for the first payment and the need to visit the job centre. I work 8-5 so it's nigh on impossible to arrange it:(

calcotti

abbiesmom wrote: »

Hi, benefits checked has always shown I'd be better off on UC by around £20 per week but I've always been put off switching by the long wait for the first payment and the need to visit the job centre. I work 8-5 so it's nigh on impossible to arrange it:(

The difference is presumably greater now if you can’t get housing benefit but would get help with rent under UC.