Quick LHA student question.... and student benefits?

boxrick

I am a full time student in my second year of university. I have a part time job and annually earn around £5500. I am about to move into a rented properly on my own, which is 2 bedroom terraced house, i currently live with a friend.

I live here permenantly, and only go to my parents house for the odd visits.

Am i entitled to any LHA for my rent if i am a full time student?
Am i meant to pay council tax over summer if im still in the middle of my uni course?

[Deleted User]

as far as the c/tax goes full time students dont pay any,and i assume that goes for the full year,ive never seen/heard anything to suggest differently.
As for housing benefit,i honestly cant answer that one,someone else hopefully will,if not tele the local councils h/b dept on monday,although i suspect that your maintenance grant may well affect any entitlement,but as i say im not 100% sure.
If you are renting a 2 bed house could you not rent out the spare room to another student(just an idea)
John

Oldernotwiser

You will be eligible for no help for your rent and, frankly, the fact that you think the state should subsidise a student to live alone in a 2 bedroom house beggars belief! Get another student in to house share and stop being so daft!

boxrick

I dont even agree with me being able to claim anything if i was able to do so. But if there is money to be claimed legally on benefits in any situation and the system is enough of a mess for me to do so.. why shouldn't i claim what im entitled too.

If someone offered you £200 a month legally for living somewhere, and the option was to take it or not wouldnt you take it ?

I hate benefits in terms of when people don't deserve them cheat the system etc, but im trying to find out if am i entitled to "anything" in terms of tax relief , benefits and grants. Wouldnt any normal money saving person do the same?

Im fine with my finances and someone is moving in with me in june!

Oldernotwiser

I disagree thoroughly with most of what you've posted, but that's a different issue. The point I was making is that you've been at university for a year, are presumably reasonably bright but still think that "someone" might give you £200 per month to live in a 2 bed house on your own! Look around you; if it were possible, wouldn't everybody be doing it?

boxrick

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I disagree thoroughly with most of what you've posted, but that's a different issue. The point I was making is that you've been at university for a year, are presumably reasonably bright but still think that "someone" might give you £200 per month to live in a 2 bed house on your own! Look around you; if it were possible, wouldn't everybody be doing it?

I work with someone who has a child and works hard, she also has a partner who also earns. My colleage was telling me that if she stopped working, the benefits provided to her by the government would almost be equal to what she earns by working. However one is contributing to our country and economy the other is leeching. She does the respectable thing and works, but the reason is why should she if she can get the same AND not work its ludicrous.

There are couples with many many children, having everything paid for including house and getting additional funding. Read quite a bit about this. They are society leeches.

I hate leeches and i shall work all my life if im capable.

All im saying is, that our benefits system is in a shambles. It has been made over confusing with various tax credits this and that. Rather than a nice simple system which everyone can understand, where people get benefits they deserve ie :

someone who is incapable of working, various diseases whatever legitimate circumstance.

Ive never even heard of LHA before, i was enquiring to find out information about it. I dont understand even the basic concept of it. Its just that i was entering on a website to see if i was entitled to anything ( ie some of the income tax i pay each year ) in my situation and it mentioned LHA, which was new to me. I no more understand it now than when i asked the question.... Why would anyone have there housing paid for ?

So is this correct?: someone on the dole, could also claim an LHA for housing expenses also a dole to live on. I realise its not massive amounts, but where is the incentive to work?

Don't get me I wrong certainly dont want any handouts i was simply stating that i was living alone for 2 months so people could get accurate information on this "LHA" thing. As ive already stated someone is moving in with me june and all will be jolly :beer:

I never believed i could get £200 a month for living on my own, but i thought perhaps due to the fact i was a low earner, ( i realise this is a different kettle of fish with full time students ) that i would get a small something each month for renting or whatever ( £5-10 ? ).There all sorts of unknown things such as if you wear a uniform you wash at home you can claim bits of tax back for that. The reason i read this website is to find out about these little unknown things

[Deleted User]

TBH i think you are too eager to lump too many people together,a common problem when discussing benefits
On the subject of LHA it hasnt yet replaced hosuing benefit in all areas,and whilst it may make some claimants better off many will be worse off than they are now.
You talk about getting some of your taxes back,on an income of £5500 those will be minimal if not non existant,and of course your maintenance grant is there to pay for your accomadation,I suggest thats what you use it for.

Oldernotwiser

In many ways the benefits system in this country is overcomplex and a disincentive for people to work. However, this board specifically prohibits discussion of benefit policy and this seems to be to be what you're doing.

As Woodbine says, you'll be paying a tiny amount of tax and will also be receiving a maintenance grant, student loan and heavily subsidised student fees. As you're also free to use the roads, health service and public services, I have to say you're getting a pretty good deal for your money.

Enjoy your time at university and enjoy your membership of these boards to help educate yourself in the ways of the world.

boxrick

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

In many ways the benefits system in this country is overcomplex and a disincentive for people to work. However, this board specifically prohibits discussion of benefit policy and this seems to be to be what you're doing.

As Woodbine says, you'll be paying a tiny amount of tax and will also be receiving a maintenance grant, student loan and heavily subsidised student fees. As you're also free to use the roads, health service and public services, I have to say you're getting a pretty good deal for your money.

Enjoy your time at university and enjoy your membership of these boards to help educate yourself in the ways of the world.

Cheers for the help...

Unfortunately i dont recieve any maintenance grant... and i pay off my fees from what i earn also recieve minimum loan - which i shall be required to pay back in full due to my parents income...

However not living with them for 4 years and not receiving any help from them income wise obviously screws me over... because the government class me as still living with my parents for some unknown reason to me.... running costs of a car,food etc add up. Luckily i have always been prepared and have saved over the years taking the decision to work for a few years before coming to uni.

The only true benefits i see are i dont need to pay council tax which IS nice... Id disagree with getting a good deal but ... ah well

My girlfriend gets her fees totally paid for, maximum loan and a government grant, with an NHS grant ontop of it because of her particular course... This is mainly due to parental income..

I cannot WAIT for the policy which classes you independant once you leave home its going to be a huge help for future students and will hopefully stop future people being screwed over the way i have simply because of my parents earnings. :cool:

CIS

Am i meant to pay council tax over summer if im still in the middle of my uni course?

Students do not pay Council Tax . They are disregarded for the entire period of the course which includes holidays.

Oldernotwiser

boxrick wrote: »

Cheers for the help...

Unfortunately i dont recieve any maintenance grant... and i pay off my fees from what i earn also recieve minimum loan - which i shall be required to pay back in full due to my parents income...

However not living with them for 4 years and not receiving any help from them income wise obviously screws me over... because the government class me as still living with my parents for some unknown reason to me.... running costs of a car,food etc add up. Luckily i have always been prepared and have saved over the years taking the decision to work for a few years before coming to uni.

The only true benefits i see are i dont need to pay council tax which IS nice... Id disagree with getting a good deal but ... ah wellI cannot WAIT for the policy which classes you independant once you leave home its going to be a huge help for future students and will hopefully stop future people being screwed over the way i have simply because of my parents earnings. :cool:

If you've supported yourself for 3 years you should be classed as an independent student and not assessed on your parents' income. if this is the case for you then you should ask your LEA to reassess you.You seem to be waiting for a policy that already exists!

ps. Many people would love to be "screwed over" by having wealthy parents. Don't knock it!