Frank Sidney Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Hello- A couple living together, but not as partners, are struggling to make the shortfall of HB up, they privately rent. One person claims the benefit, they are both disabled. How would their claim be effected if they both made individual claims for their half of the rent? Would the total be greater than one person claiming? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Closet Guy. Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 CAB is the best place for questions likes this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discodown Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Depends how old they are. If they are both over 35 then probably Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Sidney Posted May 1, 2012 Author Share Posted May 1, 2012 Depends how old they are. If they are both over 35 then probably Yes both over 35... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discodown Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Ok, so both over 35 means that they will both be entitled to to the 1 bedroom rate each per month which is currently this (scroll down a little to find it). If for example their rent is £500 per month they will get their housing benefit divided between them on two seperate claims then each of them would get their portion paid separately to the landlord Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Sidney Posted May 1, 2012 Author Share Posted May 1, 2012 Okay thanks for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tehs Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Ok, so both over 35 means that they will both be entitled to to the 1 bedroom rate each per month which is currently this (scroll down a little to find it). If for example their rent is £500 per month they will get their housing benefit divided between them on two seperate claims then each of them would get their portion paid separately to the landlord Only council tennents get it paid direct actually! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Macbeth Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Ok, so both over 35 means that they will both be entitled to to the 1 bedroom rate each per month which is currently this (scroll down a little to find it). If for example their rent is £500 per month they will get their housing benefit divided between them on two seperate claims then each of them would get their portion paid separately to the landlord Except in special circumstances, local housing allowance/benefit is paid directly to tenants who then pay the landlord. If only one of them is on the tenancy agreement, that may have a bearing on what they can claim. Might be worth contacting Shelter for advice:http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/advice_services_directory/?pc=Sheffield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discodown Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Only council tennents get it paid direct actually! Except in special circumstances, local housing allowance/benefit is paid directly to tenants who then pay the landlord. If only one of them is on the tenancy agreement, that may have a bearing on what they can claim. Might be worth contacting Shelter for advice:http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/advice_services_directory/?pc=Sheffield Either the tenant or the landlord can ask for the HB to be paid to the landlord. There has to be a reason why HB should be paid to a landlord but it is perfectly acceptable for landlords to state that they are unwilling to let social housing tenants take the tenancy unless they have the HB paid directly to them and depending on the nature of the disability if it affects their decision making or causes them stress or they simply prefer to have the HB paid to the landlord then the HB can be paid to the landlord. Theres nothing in the rules that stops HB being paid directly to private landlords. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Macbeth Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Either the tenant or the landlord can ask for the HB to be paid to the landlord. There has to be a reason why HB should be paid to a landlord but it is perfectly acceptable for landlords to state that they are unwilling to let social housing tenants take the tenancy unless they have the HB paid directly to them and depending on the nature of the disability if it affects their decision making or causes them stress or they simply prefer to have the HB paid to the landlord then the HB can be paid to the landlord. Theres nothing in the rules that stops HB being paid directly to private landlords. Apologies, I failed to mention my comments were in relation to private tenants, I know social housing providers are paid directly. Have I misunderstood the statement on the DWP website? This is what it tells private tenants: How it's paid The payment will normally be made straight to your bank or building society account. Payments to landlords Payment is not normally made to your landlord - it is up to you to pay your rent to your landlord. If you don't pay your rent, you may be taken to court and evicted from the property. From:http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/moneytaxandbenefits/benefitstaxcreditsandothersupport/on_a_low_income/dg_10018928 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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