Help with housing benefit form

ruddin1

My dad is becoming a pensioner in July and the council says he needs to reapply for housing benefit as a pensioner because they will be discontinuing it once he reaches his pension age. Can he submit the form before his pension age to ensure he gets paid as soon as after he has reached his pension age? Or does he need to fill in a change of circumstance form.

In addition the question 4.7, when it refers to benefit or income for the non-dependant - can it be written as full time employment or are they specifically talking about benefit/income received from the state?

Brie

Presumably they're discounting it because of him getting his state pension.  But is he?  One thing to be sure of is if he is delaying getting his SP for any reason then be sure that when he does get it it isn't back dated as that will mean repaying a lot of benefits already received.  

I would have thought that Q4.7 refers to any income from any source so full time or part time employment should be listed.  So an adult child who continues to live in the family home but is employed would be considered to be contributing some of that income to the family's budget.   

tacpot12

As the council have said he needs to reapply, a Change of Circumstances form is more likely to be rejected. 

I would be inclined to submit a new application on the date he reaches his state retirement age, as his previous Housing Benefit claim will have ended the day before. 

p00hsticks

Brie said:

Presumably they're discounting it because of him getting his state pension.  But is he?  One thing to be sure of is if he is delaying getting his SP for any reason then be sure that when he does get it it isn't back dated as that will mean repaying a lot of benefits already received.  

My understanding is that even if he chooses to delay it, his entitlement to other benefits will be based on the assumption that he is claiming it.

funny_bones

Yes, he can submit his New Claim now if he’s turning state pension age in July. Just state on his claim it is an advance claim from SRP age.

https://www.gov.uk/housing-benefit/how-to-claim#:~:text=Claiming%20in%20advance%20and%20backdating,claim%20backdated%20%2D%20ask%20your%20council.

I am surprised they are not treating it as a change in circumstances but going by your first sentence, it sound like he needs to submit a new claim rather than a change in circumstances form.

4.7 relates to any benefit or income so includes wages. In the amount part input the gross earning for the non dependant.

ruddin1

Thanks. This is very helpful. As a non-dependant, there was a certain amount deducted from my dad's council tax and housing benefit as it was expected that I would contributed to household bills. However, as my dad started claiming disability and Personal independence payment, this was no longer deducted and I didn't have to contribute as a result of this. From what I can see of the current rules this is still the same but I still make a good amount of money and have a good amount of savings. Would I face any deduction or tax bill as a result of filling a new form out to pay towards cost again and his council tax and housing benefit being reduced again, despite my dad being on disability and PIP still?

Robbie64

ruddin1 said:

Thanks. This is very helpful. As a non-dependant, there was a certain amount deducted from my dad's council tax and housing benefit as it was expected that I would contributed to household bills. However, as my dad started claiming disability and Personal independence payment, this was no longer deducted and I didn't have to contribute as a result of this. From what I can see of the current rules this is still the same but I still make a good amount of money and have a good amount of savings. Would I face any deduction or tax bill as a result of filling a new form out to pay towards cost again and his council tax and housing benefit being reduced again, despite my dad being on disability and PIP still?

As long as your dad continues to receive the daily living component of PIP then his CT and HB will not be reduced because you live with him.