Housing Benefit

BillyB

Hello.. 
I’m so confused by the process &
seem to be getting nowhere. We are in a housing association house, me & 2 siblings. We lived with our mum who recently passed away & I succeeded the tenancy. I’m 18 & don’t currently work, both my siblings work. I currently claim universal credit & it was suggested I apply for housing benefit while I look for a job. How will it be calculated? It’s only my name on the tenancy and I don’t work but both my siblings do. Don’t seem to be able to get any answers. 

MalMonroe

Condolences on the loss of your mother.

Universal Credit is going to be taking over where Housing Benefits left off so you really do need to speak to someone at your local DWP office because they won't be separate benefits any more.

There's a link here which explains it - https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit

You and your siblings will all be expected to contribute equally to rent, council tax and living costs. But do phone the DWP office, they will be able to tell you what you need to do, and also if there are any more benefits you may be entitled to. 

calcotti

You need to report a change through your UC journal and provide details of the tenancy.

BillyB

My mistake, what’s been applied for is the housing element of UC. Just wasn’t sure if they would take our earnings into account, as when my mum claimed UC - I just paid a flat rate non dependent deduction. I wasn’t sure if this would be the same or would be different as it’s not a parent, we’re all siblings.

calcotti

What will change is that your UC maximum amount will increase by the housing element. 
If you are the only tenant the housing element will be for the full rent (less any deduction if you have spare bedrooms). A flat rate non-dependant deduction from your UC will be made for each of your siblings unless they are under 21 (assuming none of you get a disability benefit). Their actual earnings do not matter.

You should be claiming Council Tax Reduction too.

BillyB

Thanks calcotti, that’s really helpful. I will look into the council tax reduction. 

calcotti

BillyB said:

Thanks calcotti, that’s really helpful. I will look into the council tax reduction. 

Claimed from your local authority. If awarded it is applied to your Council Tax bill as a credit thereby reducing the amount you have to pay. Rules vary between local authorities. Some will calculate entitlement based on your UC claim (they can get information from DWP), others will want details of your siblings’ earnings and will determine the amount they are expected to contribute on their earnings.

poppy12345

MalMonroe said:

 But do phone the DWP office, they will be able to tell you what you need to do, and also if there are any more benefits you may be entitled to. 

Not the best advice. Ringing a DWP call centre isn't the best place to ring to ask for benefit advice. They read from a screen and have very limited benefit knowledge.

talha_muhammad99

Hello, 

This is the first time i'm posting on MSE. 

I work 35 hours a week and earn around £1115 monthly after tax and pension deductions. I will marry in a short period and my wife will be not in work ( as she never worked ), so she will be Not Employed after the marriage. I live in a private rent with 2 bedroom at £550 monthly. 

I made researched online and calculated which benefits i will be entitled to as my wife will be not employed but on each calculation (website) the amount was different and i'm not sure even regarding the appriximate entltelment. 

Can you please advise me whether i will be entitled to any benefits and if yes on what bases. 

Many Thanks 

calcotti

Talha, I suggest you start your own thread so that your query is not confused with original post.