HELP - Benefits Help required, have looked everywhere ???

LEOWASP

Hi

New Here but I am completely confused after reading different information on various websites,sowondered if you could help.

I am a father of 2 children - 1) 15 and 1) 19.
I am currently recieving Long Term Incapacity Benefit, Child Benefit for one child, Income Support, Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit as I am renting accomodation.
Problem:
My son was a student until a few days ago and now has decided that he no longer wants to pursue his college course.
He will be 20 in a few days so Child Benefit will stop. He works part-time (16 hrs a week) and does not earn a great deal. When he stops being a student, I believe that he will be liable for a proportion of council tax and my housing benefit will be cut so that he will have to make up the difference.
As he is only working part time what he earns will not even cover the council tax and rent .
Could you help explain to me what benefits he would be entitled to to help cover the costs. He is looking for a full time job but until then I would be gratfeul to have some advice.

Thanks

DaisyFlower

Your son cant claim benefits to cover your rent and council tax.

They will reduce your benefits if another adult in the house has an income so he will need to look at budgeting for the "housekeeping" you are asking him for or increase his hours if he is no longer studying.

lil_me

If you contact the local housing benefit office, tell them how much he earns etc they should be able to tell you how much he will be expected to pay. Daisy is right, he wouldn't be able to claim CTB/HB to help cover these costs.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/housing_benefit.asp#howmuch that page, the bit in purple, might give you some idea of deductions from Housing Benefit for earning non dependants (which is what he would be classed as) http://www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/council_tax_benefit.asp#howmuch is the page for Council Tax.

Like I said they're to give you an idea, contacting the benefits section should give you definate figures, which will probably change from April.

minimadtrix

Just being a bit nosey here. Do you receive DLA care component?

Firstly if you are receiving long term incapacity benefit and are not claiming DLA you should do.

If you are receiving DLA care component, then there will be no deduction to Housing or Council Tax benefit for a non dependant (namely your son) no matter what he earns.

Also, if your son is receiving income support because he does not earn enough, then there will not be a non dependant deduction.

Either way, you should still notify the council of your son's wages - not doing so may mean that if you have been found to have been overpaid, then you will be made to pay it back (I've been watching to many no ifs no buts adverts!!)

LEOWASP

Thanks for all the info - I now have the full claim form but I am not sure if I put it in my name - with adding my son as the second rebate or not. As I am not very good with these forms and do not know what I am entitled to any help appreciated.

Leowasp

lil_me

Every area has it's own forms but on the last one I looked at there was an area for 'Non dependants/other adults in the household who are not dependant on you' which is where I would believe you should put your sons details.

If you get stuck your housing officer, benefits officer, CAB or welfare rights office should be able to help you complete the form correctly.