Housing Benefit due to end.

[mpbdsnu]

I received a letter stating my Housing Benefit would end in December. I hope to have a job before then but what if I don't get a job? Is there any other benefit I can claim instead?

[antone]

Hello, and welcome to CAG. Does the letter say why your HB will end in December?

[mikeymack2002]

If you are in receipt of any benefits like JSA/ESA/DLA then you will need to send in a change of circumstances to your local ctax/housing benfit dept and state that you are getting these benefits, do this straight away if you are on them now

[id6052]

I received a letter stating my Housing Benefit would end in December. I hope to have a job before then but what if I don't get a job? Is there any other benefit I can claim instead?

 

Housing Benefit is normally just an ongoing award until there is a change that brings it to an end, is there an expected change in december? what explanation has been given for it ending in december?

[mpbdsnu]

The letter just states that "as a result of a change in your circumstances we will stop taking this money from your Jobseeker's Allowance on 5 December 2013."

 

I just took it that Housing Benefit for the homeowner is a temporary benefit, and it comes to an end then? But its after then that I'm worried about? I am on jobseekers allowance and have been for 16 moths, my wife is a pensioner.

[id6052]

homeowners are not entitled to housing benefit in respect of a property they own

[mpbdsnu]

I will have been receiving it for two years come December

[id6052]

are you sure it is housing benefit which is paid by the council?

 

or is it mortgage interest assistance paid by the DWP?

[mpbdsnu]

Perhaps its the latter then? I thought it was the same as I originally made a claim for Housing Benefit?

 

It does state in the heading " Mortgage/Home loan interest payments."

 

So what's the difference then? Can they just stop it in this way?

[stu007]

Hi this link from Shelter may be of use:

 

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/help_with_money/mortgage_arrears/government_mortgage_rescue_scheme

[Nystagmite]

There is a 2 year limit on support for mortgage interest (SMI) for those on JSA.

[antone]

Perhaps its the latter then? I thought it was the same as I originally made a claim for Housing Benefit?

 

It does state in the heading " Mortgage/Home loan interest payments."

 

So what's the difference then? Can they just stop it in this way?

 

Yes, it sounds like SMI (Support for Mortgage Interest), paid to those on means tested benefits such as JSA(IB). If the payments started after January 2009, they will be limited to 2 years.

 

Does your wife receive any pension income? Would she possibly be able to claim State Pension Credit for the two of you?

[mpbdsnu]

Thanks for your replies everyone.

 

I will look into whether the wife can claim state pension credit for the two of us.

 

So, I take thats it after the two years we lose our house?

[antone]

Thanks for your replies everyone.

 

I will look into whether the wife can claim state pension credit for the two of us.

 

So, I take thats it after the two years we lose our house?

 

If your wife is able to claim SPC she could also claim SMI. There is no time limit to SMI when paid as part of an SPC claim.

[mpbdsnu]

Ok, thanks Antone.

[antone]

No problem. Here's the basics of SPC.