LHA benefit?

marcp

Hi,

Am moving in June to a flat with a friend. My salary is currently 16,000 GBP with zero assets or capital and all of 1000 GBP in savings. Rent will be around 650 GBP per month. From September-June I'll be a full-time student and working about 15-20 hours a weel. From June or in September, will I be eligible for any LHA or CT benefit? I've seen it is income assessed, but if I have no capital or assets and an income of 16000 will that make a difference?

real1314

Is the rent £650 between you and your friend?

If so, you wouldn't get anything at all just based on your income.

Oldernotwiser

marcp wrote: »

Hi,

Am moving in June to a flat with a friend. My salary is currently 16,000 GBP with zero assets or capital and all of 1000 GBP in savings. Rent will be around 650 GBP per month. From September-June I'll be a full-time student and working about 15-20 hours a weel. From June or in September, will I be eligible for any LHA or CT benefit? I've seen it is income assessed, but if I have no capital or assets and an income of 16000 will that make a difference?

Full time students are ineligible for means tested benefits unless they are disabled or a lone parent so you won't get anything except the 25% reduction in council tax. This will be the case even in the holidays during the course. (If your friend is also a student no council tax will be payable.)

Don't work on the basis of having £16,000 income as this won't be the case when you start university. You should have your maintenance loan and maintenance grant (if eligible) and any part time earnings on top.

I do hope that the £650 rent is between the 2 of you!

Oldernotwiser

Just read your previous posts and seen that my reply doesn't fit your situation. Are you getting paid for your training contract or supporting yourself by part time work?

marcp

Both - LPC is timetabled to two full days a week I believe and am looking to supplement that through part-time work, though of course the study element is greater than the timetabled element. I get a grant from the firm but am not sure how it is calculated as it's a quoted for the whole year. Rent is 650 between us, possibly 700 not sure yet as we're not moving till June so no idea of availability or pricing. Relocation costs wiped out my savings so all money I'm currently earning is to towards establishing myself here financially, covering costs of living and for any shortfall in my Australian tax once processed as well as Student Loan etc. Not sure if the grant will cover day-to-day living expenses yet so trying to work it out in advance. No plans on going out, entertaining etc

dmg24

The LPC is classed as full time. Therefore, as Onw states, you will not be eligible for LHA unless you are disabled or a parent.

Prior to September, I doubt that you will qualify for any help with an income of £16K and monthly rent of £325 - 350.

If you lived alone, you would not have to pay council tax. However, if you are living with a non student the property will only qualify for a 25% discount. If you are both students you will not have to pay council tax.

Where are you studying for your LPC? x

marcp

No more eating in the staff canteen then! Back to baked beans and tea :P

In Chester. Hopefully it'll be two full days a week so I can do three days part-time to cover things.