If I moved out, could I afford to live?!

[tom08]

Hi,

 

I'm 24 and living at home with parents. I'm out of work due to a health condition, and I'm on Incapacity Benefit (my only income). I live in Havering.

 

I'm soon to move into a council flat, and I will need to claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit when I move in. In order to determine how much Housing Benefit I'll get, I used my borough's Housing Benefit calculator (http://payments.havering.gov.uk:8080/itemnet/webben/mtb.html).

 

The problem is, this came up short. Basically, it tells me that if I were to rent a place that was £70/week, I'd only get £50/week Housing Benefit. Taking into account bills, food, etc., it seems that I would not have enough money to live on.

 

Basically, I get £100/week Incapacity Benefit. If I had to pay £20 for the rent which Housing Benefit doesn't cover, that leaves me with £80. Then I have to pay bills, of perhaps £30, leaving me with £50. Then there are extra charges for the council flat, perhaps coming in at £20. That leaves me with £30. My food costs about £50, leaving me with -£20!

 

Are my calculations wrong, or can I simply not afford to live?

 

I've asked at my local CAB, rung up countless people, and yet I can't seem to get an answer this question. It's so frustrating. Please help!

[ErikaPNP]

On occasion a person on Incapacity Benefit can receive a "top up" of income support, if their incapacity benefit is not above the threshold. However, as you are receiving above the sum that the government allows a single person to live on I cannot see that you would be entitled to any other benefit, other than housing benefit and council tax benefit unless there was a change in your circumstances.

 

Food shopping at £50 per week for a single person seems excessive to me. I have two children and myself to feed and my monthly shopping bill comes to £100 at the very most. That includes toiletries, cleaning products and all else we require in addition to food. Could you perhaps do a budget planner?

 

People for example on Income Based Jobseekers allowance or Income Support who are single and aged over 25 receive only £60.50 per week, and all of their food, utilities and groceries etc have to be budgeted for within this figure.

 

You could try this calculator: http://www.entitledto.com by entering all your details to see if it throws up a different figure, however this calculator is only a guide.

Edited March 24, 2009 by ErikaPNP
entitledto calculator website

[skonk]

I agree that £50 a week for food for a single person is way over the top. I think once you get to 25, your HB goes up? Mine is £75 and I get JSA. You'll just have to learn to cut right down on your food. Have to stop getting a few luxuries and get the essentials in.

[tom08]

The £50 was just for food -- no luxuries. Not even toiletries. The problem is that I have to follow a really weird diet due to this health condition.

 

So I don't suppose there's anything I can do other than rely on help from relatives. =/

 

Anyway, thanks for the info.

 

Tom

[Lula]

What sort of health condition/special diet is it, perhaps it is something that you can get help with

[tom08]

It's ME (aka CFS). A lot of ME patients have many food sensitivities, myself included.

[ErikaPNP]

Have you ever tried applying for DLA? I'm not sure, but DLA may be payable dependant on the extent of your condition. If you haven't looked into it, it might be worth trying to see if you qualify.

[skonk]

DWP - A-Z of medical conditions

 

Here you go, Tom08. This is the A-Z the DWP use to define what qualifies for DLA. Have a look on there to see if your condition is on there. If so, then it may be worth going to see your local welfare rights officer about getting DLA.

[tom08]

It seems that I would not be eligible for DLA, as my health condition is not so bad that I need help dressing, eating, etc., or getting around. It seems that DLA is only for people who are really severely limited.

 

Thanks anyway for the suggestion.

 

Tom