DWP & Housing Benefit question!

BernieLondon

Good evening all

Next month I will start receiving my state pension. As a result my Income Support and Carer's Allowance will end too which I fully expected to happen.

Presently I am receiving Housing Benefit. Because of the start of my State Pension the amount of Housing Benefit will of course change.

When I first made an application for Income Support - Housing Benefit was part of the application. I never once had to get in touch with my Local Council regarding this. It was done entirely via my Income Support application.

When my State Pension starts next month I have no idea if the Department of Work & Pensions will automatically reduce the amount of Housing Benefit accordingly.  I do not know if I have to apply directly to my Local Council or not.  I would prefer not to do this as my Local Council are a nightmare to deal with.

I have tried contacting the DWP but I have had no luck so far.

I would appreciate any help or advice.

Peace all.

poppy12345

DWP do not administer housing benefit, that's from your local Authority. In your previous thread last month you said you had contacted your LA and they were very helpful. See thread. https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6543299/reaching-state-pension-age-soon-income-support-housing-benefit-question#latest

As they already know about both of your pensions, it will just be a recalculation. 

BernieLondon

Thank you for the reply.

I got a further communication from my Local Council last week telling me that as my Income Support is ending my Housing Benefit may end too.  Not will end but may end.  This was not what they told me a couple of weeks ago.  I was under the impression it was going to be a recalculation as you said yourself.  Makes sense to me as the Pension amounts are known.

So, all things considered, my best plan of action is to "bite the bullet" and contact the DWP and/or my Local Council again.

Thank you again for the reply.

KxMx

The DWP will be unable to help. 
Housing benefit is wholly administered by local councils, so it is them you need to contact.