Does anyone know anything about housing benefit?

Housing benefit is income based. If you, as a family, are living in income related benefits, you will qualify for housing benefit. At the moment, if you are claiming contributions based JSA (1st six months only) and there is no other income other than tax credits and child benefit you will qualify for housing benefit.

If your income subsequently increases you may lose some or all of the HB.

I'm really sorry to hear about your situation ?

Do you work? If neither of you do I would imagine you ar entitled. You'll obviously need to find a landlord who will accept it.

I completely understand needing to plan but if you current house is better than a HB property (likely!) I'd stay put as long as you can.

Your mortgage company can't take you to court unless you are 3 months in arrears. If you can keep it even £1 under 3 months, you'll be safe.

Thank you. So it wouldn't be affected by the fact we had put ourselves into that situation?

As we currently have no income, do you know how much housing benefit we would be entitled to? We don't get it at the moment due to us having a mortgage. But I can onlyt he mortgage subsidy won't last forever. I just can't bear to sit and wait to be repossessed.

Also you only refer to JSA (CB) - what about when it changes?

I don't really know how much you could get. I work in housing, although as I'm in Finance I'm not a HB expert- but we see people who get between £100-£250 a week (thats in central london) but its immaterial really, we set the rent and HB pay a certain % of it, so if they pay 100% of someones they simply have to pay more when we raise rents. some get 80% paid, and so on.

There is no judgement on how you end up in rented accommodation.

Unless you are given social housing (council or housing assoc) you are paid a Local Housing Allowance which should be enough to privately rent a property of a suitable size for your family in your area. Your council will be able to tell you what that is and which landlords accept HB tenants. If there is a shortfall between the LHA and your rent you will need to find the difference. After six months JSA(CB) you will move onto JSA(IB) (assuming there is no other non benefit income)which will give an automatic entitlement to Hb and CTB

Thank you Hyacinth.

I can't see how we can pay it at all. In a couple of months the mortgage subisdy will kick in but I am concerned about how long it lasts for and I can't find out.

In truth I am not sure our current house is better than something we could rent but I would rather stay on the ladder so to speak.

I am finding it all so confusing - do you mean you rent out housing association properties?

Thank you Neffi - that makes sense. Is it usual for there to be a shortfall?It's so hard to find out the maths which is what I really need in order to work this out.

What about if we rented out our current house and rented something else ourselves? Would we be entitled to housing benefit then or would the rent recieved for the current house be classed as income? I'm really assuming this isn't an option at all

Well its all a bit complicated ? My company manages a local authorities properties. We have a mixure of rentals and leaseholders.

I've not said this before but people constantly recommend CAB (often for things they have nothing to do with TBH) but dealing with them professionally and a small experience of them personally, I don't think they're all that TBH, although they do love a "project" mind you as an homeowner or ex homeowner I'm sure you won't be of any interest to them. Shelter are excellent though, Its worth giving them a bell, as well as your local authority.

CAB were excellent for letting us know what we were entitled to and how much but obviously that was as far as it went.

Thanks for recommendation to try Shelter instead

You can't do that sadly. My Mum wanted to do that with her house after being made redundant, but she couldn't and only managed not to have her house repossessed because her Dad died. She was also told if she sold up she wouldn't be able to claim HB for a certain amount of time, but you'd have to check that with your council.

You can find out how much LHA your council will pay on https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk

Thanks Julz - I did suspect that would be the case but it's good to know where I stand.Thank you for the website that will really help.

Wow really? That is useful to know

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Thanks Pom - I appreciate the honesty. But it does appear to leave me in a no win situation. I am just trying to take control of our situation.

We have no equity in our house. I am a SAHM and H lost his job. The mortgage is not something we are struggling to afford, it's impossible to afford. When the mortgage subisdy kicks in, yes that will cover us but I am still concerned with how long for.

From what you are saying, it seems that we would have to just sit and wait to be repossessed. ☹️

People abusing the system really do ruin it for everyone don't they. You'd think that given the situation you would be offered some help, but I can see why they can't offer help because I can see how people could take advantage.

CM I really really hope the mortgage subsidy helps and that your H manages to get a new job soon

xx

I disagree with Pom's interpretation of your circumstances. If you are in a position where you cannot afford your mortgage your primary reason for selling would be to avoid repossession and keep a roof over your family's head. I cannot see that being treated as decision to take advantage of the benefits scheme.

as with all things, specialist aand personalised advice is imperative. Shelter is a good bet.

Hi CM

Another option would be 'mortgage rescue'. More info here: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Keepingyourhomeevictionsandhomelessness/LosingYourHome/DG_174005

You may also find some additional information on HB on the DirectGov website.

HTH

Tracey

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Pom - not sure why you have deleted your post. I was not offended or upset and it was useful to hear your opinion on how they might see it.

Thank you all for your help. It's good to see what could happen. I will look at contacting Shelter this week for further advice. It's so blooming complicated and stressful.

With regards to Mortgage Income payment - I think it's up to £175K of interest & you also are entitled to means tested benefits (JSA, Income support) after 3mths.

So think you can remain in your home & not worry too much. So you would be in a better situation than renting. Hopefully soon your H will be back in employment & then you can carry on.

xx

Hi CM,

I posted a further post about the regulations etc and my experiences - I'm a housing benefits decision maker - and then thought better of it! Firstly because I don't want to offend (I feel for you and your situation to be honest), and secondly because I feel a bit vulnerable and exposed on here given that it's my job and I'm probably identifiable by anyone who might know me. I know some people have posted about work and had it come back to bite them!

Good luck!