can we claim housing benefit?

Question

my partner is working and we are claiming tax credits and at the moment we have to pay full 59.00 a week rent to the council and full council tax. i have three children and all 5 of us are currently living in a very small 2 bedroomed flat. we have been on the council waiting list for over a year now and have been informed that we may never get a move to a bigger property as we are non priorityand there is a lack of council houses. The private housing is very expensive and the cheapest 3 bedroom house i can find to rent is 125.00 per week. would we be able to get help towards this rent through housing benefit as it is just too expensive for us. my partner is working full timeand we get working tax credits and child tax credits. no-one seems to know, not even the rent offices! many thanks!xxx

im british born and bred by the way lol

we've tried housing associations and we've been on their lists over a year despite having full medical points for severe post natal depression. they've told us not to hold our breaths as they have limited properties and everyone wants them.

Answer 1

i was the same working tax credit we at to pay full rent but depends on what your partner earns get a forn from housing office and wage slips of ur partner send them in they will sort it from that end for you living in a 2 bedroom flat with 3 children is classed has overcrowded they have to offer you something eventually also if there boy/girl and over 10 is classed as sexual overcrowding get on to them and dont give in i was in a 2 bedroom house with 3 children took me 7 years to get out keep trying email me if need anymore advie ime kind of an expert with these people lol good luck

Answer 2

In order to claim housing benefit you have to fit into a certain criteria, low income family claiming or on job seekers allowance or income support, because your partner works full time it may mean he is earning enough to pay rent and council tax, it sounds silly but with the social they give people a set amount they need to live on and the excess what you get over has to go on rent and council tax, so i can explain better i will use my mum shes 62 and is on the state pension but she also gets a private pension from my late fathers old works they say she needs to live in £114 a week but with both pensions she still has to pay over £22 a week rent and £30 a month council tax, its unfair but its how the law is in the UK

Answer 3

Ok so you're 20, having a child, and wanting to start depending on the government now? I work for Section-8 and work with alot of single mothers who once they are on this system they: 1. Don't want to go back to work, even once child is old enough 2. Learn to rely on someone other than yourself. As a single mother this is something you need to do to survive! 3. More often than not have another child within 1 year. I am not coming down on you, I am trying to offer you advice b/c you are young, while you are going to have a child, you still have your whole life ahead of you. Are you really going to want to depend on the government to get by day after day. The system is so overworked and underfunded, so no one received the assistance they think they should. You can get day care vouchers, which will enable you to work. If you can get into Section-8 in your state, they will allow you to claim the amount you pay for child care as an expense which would mean a reduction in your rent, you would already get a deduction b/c you have a dependent. Look at options, don't just latch on to the system now. The system is made to help those who have nowhere else to turn. Report me if you wish, but I will leave you with this thought. Every day we report people who abuse the system, while it is thought that this is a innocent action by those who commit it, the government looks at it completely different.

Answer 4

it is unlikely that you will get much housing benefit.
even if you were on income support, the council would only pay 2/3rd of rent on a private property.
my sister looked into the same thing a few yrs ago and was told she would get little over £7 towards rent on £100 a week.

would it be possible to move to a different area with more appropriate housing, or is there an exchange scheme in the area, you might get lucky and someone may want a smaller home


if this dont work, contact your local mp.
i know someone who works for the council here, she told me, they dont care about over crowding nomatter how bad. they dont care about sexual over crowding. the only thing they care about is the mp- as that is where they can get more money

Answer 5

Have a look into housing associations, they work along the same lines as the council, cheap rent able houses.

I'm not sure if you'd be entitled to housing benefit but there's one way to find out go and have a chat or call them and ask, explain your situation at least you'll have a definite answer.

Answer 6

I'm in a similar boat.
I'm 21, and 21 weeks pregnant. I'm living with my parents in a 2 bedroomed house. One double bedroom and one single bedroom, the single room being mine. It's barely big enough for my bed, let alone for my bed and a cot and all the baby things! I've been told 5 years for a house, which I think is ridiculous.
As for housing benefit, I think you only get that if you're claiming job seekers or income support, but I'm not sure.
Try the website below or try contacting your local Citizens Advice office :)

Good luck hun

Answer 7

www.entitledto.co.uk

This will tell you what benefits you are entitled to given your level of income.

The challenge though might be to find a private landlord who will accept housing benefit - most are very snobbish about it and "No DSS" is on just about every private rent advert I've ever seen. Private landlord are only out to make a fast buck basically and don't care about your housing needs or income.

If you can't get housing benefit for your Council Flat though you probably won't get it for a private rent.

If you are struggling with Council Tax - get in touch with them and ask for an income/expenditure form to try and come to an agreement you can afford.

Answer 8

housing benefit is counted on how much one household earns, they do not take into consideration expenses other than rent and council tac so bills will not count. if they think you earn enough to pay you rent and c tax you will not be applicable. have a look on the job centre site they will tell you more and you can download an application form.
To move into a 3 bed house, you have to find a landlord willing to accept housing benefit as not all do. Although you can move in pay your first month and then apply if it is more than you can afford. then they have to help you.
I hope this helps.

Answer 9

any one can apply for housing benefit on grounds of low income and high rent.

you already have more than i do coming in, in tax credits and child benefit alone,and i dont qualify for housing benefit.

but it may change if your rent went up,

you dont say how old your kids are, if they are at school
if so can you work some hours,

is your partner claiming working tax credits too.
if not claim it.

council tax benefit is also paid on grounds of income.
and although bands and payments change its still based on income,

if you have had a baby in last six months you may be able to claim maternity allowance

good luck.

Answer 10

i don't know much about housing benefit but if your partners the only one bringing in a wage then your entitled to a council tax rebate but go to your local benefits office and find out