Housing Benefit

guy999

A friend of mine is looking to move out of a privately rented property to another privately rented property.
Part is paid housing benefit.

However how is the benefit calculated, is it based on property no. bedrooms etc or on individuals circumstances,

The reason I ask is that they are thinking of moving to a 3 storey 2 or 3 bedroom town house, from a traditional 3 bed terrace.

And think that since 1 bedroom is downstairs, house will class as 2 bedrooms so will get benefits for a 2 bed house.

But i thought that it wasnt due to property just that they will pay £100 per week or whatever, no matter where they.
Thanks

OLS

as far as I know (and would presume) its based on the claimants circumstances not the size of the property.

THIS LINK MAY HELP

*I didnt read through the site as didnt have time, but it may have the answer for you, if not tell him to ring up and check before he moves there is no point second guessing!*

guy999

Thanks for answer going to read thru
Cheers

elmer

For Housing Benefit we ask for details of all rooms in the house so I am afraid you cant designate rooms as you want them, to disguise that they are bedrooms. A dining room is usually deemed as a room that can be used as a bedroom, and if you are seen to be over housed your rent will be restricted to the level of housing that meets your needs. Ie if you need two bedrooms a house with 1 bedroom, 1 living room and 1 dining room is sufficient. the rent is set by the rent officer.

Elmer

Kasha

Elmer,

you seem to be clued up on Housing benifit and something has been really niggling me for the last few months. I receive HB, my daughter is now classed as a non dependant and working so has to pay her share of council tax and rent. There is just myself and daughter at home. My questions are:-

1. Why is she expected to pay 60% of the rent? this seems so unfair? half the rent yes but why more than half?

2. Why is the amount she has to pay worked out on her Gross income? not Net. The net is what she has left to pay her bills and live on.

It just seems so unfair.

sorry to hijack your thread;)

archer5

Kasha wrote: »

Elmer,

you seem to be clued up on Housing benifit and something has been really niggling me for the last few months. I receive HB, my daughter is now classed as a non dependant and working so has to pay her share of council tax and rent. There is just myself and daughter at home. My questions are:-

1. Why is she expected to pay 60% of the rent? this seems so unfair? half the rent yes but why more than half?

2. Why is the amount she has to pay worked out on her Gross income? not Net. The net is what she has left to pay her bills and live on.

It just seems so unfair.

sorry to hijack your thread;)

Non-dependants are usually adult sons, daughters, other relatives or friends, who live in the claimants’ household on a non-commercial basis.

A non-dependant deduction is made depending upon whether the non-dependant is in ‘remunerative work’.

And if so, on the level of his or her gross income. Government ruling.

Some claimants receive money from their non-deps to pay for their keep.

This may include a contribution towards rent, council tax, food, or household expenses.
This money is not treated as your income.

Instead deductions are made from your HB entitlement and main CTax benefit entitlement.

The amount of the deduction/reduction is not related to ‘what’ your daughter actually pays/gives to you.

Deductions/reductions are fixed sums which apply even if your daughter pays/gives you ‘nothing’ at all. The level of the deductions is dependant upon how much she earns.

If daughter earns £322 per week or more then your full benefit entitlement say £80 would be reduced each week by £47.75 either you or your daughter will have to pay the £47,75 towards your rent as only £32.25 would be paid in to your rent account.

If she earns between £150. 00 and £193.99 per week then your entitlement say £80 would be reduced by £23.35 each week so only £ 56.65 would be paid in to your rent account.

If you daughter resided in her own home flat or house imagine what she ‘would’ have to pay out, as you are and have done for so long. Our children are fortunately subsidised when they stay at home. But the government does penalise us for our children staying in the fold. We lose our Single Persons Discount for one.

And guess who is expected to ‘cover’ the amount of discount we previously received – our kids ‘just’ starting out, especially so as our own income may not have changed. I do work in benefits but I’ve quoted from ‘Guide to Housing & Council Tax Benefit 2005-2006 available from ‘Shelter’.

archer5

Kasha, have a read up here;-

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.html?f=23

Kasha

Thanks so much, that makes things a "little" clearer, I think I understand now. I'm just going to have a look at the link you provided. She's moving out soon and although I will be sad she's leaving home I will be sooooo glad the HB and council tax will be back to a set level and stay that way! (fingers crossed) Ive never had a problem until she started work and since then its been changed so many times up and down and stopped:eek: sending me into rent arrears....I could go on and on but I wont bore you;)

thanks again
Kasha

elmer

Sorry Kasha I didnt get back to answer your question, However you seem to have excellent explanations above. I hope its clear now, if not someone will be happy to explain.

Good Luck Elmer