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Pinoy

You can claim for Housing and Council Tax benefit (HB/CTB). Your claim will be assessed and calculated like any other HB/CTB claim: your household income (including sudent grants/loans, earnings, capital/savings etc).

You should have done it in May 2009 but its never too late.

When you apply for HB/CTB you can ask for 6 Months (if you under 60 y.o. and 3 months if over 60) backdating but you will have to give a 'continuous good reason' why you were unable to claim in the first place. You will be asked to provide proof of your household income and details about any capital/savings in last 6 months.

Rules are different for people who are students and 60+.

One more thing - once you have applied for HB/CTB then contact the above DCA or your Council Tax recovery office and ask them to wait till you get the decision as you may get your debt reduced.

If you dont wanna go that road then I am afraid you'll have to pay the whole amount you owe. Still you can make a monthly offer but they may decide not to accept it and carry on taking action. You can justify your offer by sending them an income and expenses form that you can't afford to pay anymore. But end of the day it's their decision.

All the best.

Adam

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Why they have refused? they must have given you some reasons (savings or any other income)?

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pinoy

I would suggest to check if you are entitled to any thing Start Calculation

When i was a student i was able to get my council tax paid. The university gave me an exemption letter as i was full time student and this i passed onto the council. Check out with university, it may have changed since i went but you never know. i add that i was a single occupant at the time but even if it reduces your bill its a start. also being on a low income (600 a month is a low income) you can still get some council tax and housing benefit it isnt dependent on being on benefits. I would encourage you to speak to your local cab they will do a check of your entitlements and help you deal with the council.

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If they house is soley occupied by student(s) then the property will be classed as exepmted for CT.

If student and his/her non-student partner are living then 'student' wil be considered disregarded person and the non-student will have 75% CT liability (means 25% single person discount will be applied). .

Yes £600 is low monthly income and that's what the reason I have pasted a link to benefit calculator.

Pinoy the best thing is to send your HB/CTB claim asap, as far I am aware, there is no other way to get this sorted.

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pinoy

You can not qualify for full council tax benefit because of your partner's earning, still you can get approx £682 for whole year. I dont know why they refused you HB/CTB in May last year but at least we know that you do qualify now.

As far rent is concern your entitlement (as a couple) for Local Housing Allowance (New HB for private tenants) is one bedroom entitlement (if no kids). Local Housing Allowance (LHA) varies postcode to postcode (in most of the cases council to council). Whatever LHA rate for one bedroom in yoru area is your housing benefit will be calculated on the basis of LHA entitlement rate. In my council the maximum one bedroom LHA rate is £450 for some one who is on IS/JSA/ESAir/PC with a partner. If the rent is more than £450 then claimant pays the difference.

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There you go mate, this is law of land. It's your decision end of the day.

All the best.

My LHA rate is £67 per week

 

Yet according to the calculator, and indeed the job centre and the council, I am not entitled to that purely because of my partners income.

 

I give up. The whole benefits system is just flawed completely.

 

How do they expect me to pay

 

£700 per month rent

£90 per month council tax

 

Plus food, bills and all the rest.

 

When I am unemployed, my partner is a student and only earns £600 a month.

 

And for that, they offer £13 per week in benefits

 

I just can't believe it.

Have you thought of becoming a fulltime student as well, there are no jobs at present, so get some qualifications, you could get a grant yourself and have better prospects for future employment longterm

Shorterm you would have a second income coming in

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Whars agency work like in your area, its quite good around here as long as you can be flexable

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Hardly any work at all, of any kind around here. I have only lived in this area since last year, I am moving back to where I am from originally in a few months time, it is truely awful around here.

 

I mean, I am no job-less bum, I have a very good education, qualifications and job experience. There is just nothing available.

 

I have done my best to apply for jobs and have had some luck with interviews recently, just hoping I get a job soon that will last until I move out of here in a few months time.

Its a sad state at the moment the jobs market and I am sorry to hear you cant find work but hopefully something will come along.

They say the recession is over but is it ?

I agree sometimes the system is unfair and unjust but there has to be one unfortunately.

I dont understand how HB is calculated but on the face of it, only £600 per month Income into your houshold and you cant claim much then yes I well see your point

But again they have their rules and amounts payable and the goverment sets them

Hope one of the interviews turns into a job

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Hi sorry to hear about this awful situation, i had a quick look on the net and the direct gov web site has a section for students in higher education, Your partner might qualify for an adult dependents grant, seeing as at present you are unemployed, its about 2-2500 grand and is paid in installments, you can do the form online, maybe this could help in the short term.

I wish you luck and hope all turns out well

xxx

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cool let us all know how you get on.

good luck with your course

take care

xxx