benefits- silly question

[craigers]

We currently claim Housing Benefit and get a council tax rebate. I'm looking at applying for Child Tax Credit. I haven't applied so far because I didn't want our council tax bill to rise too much. I appreciate its difficult to judge, but on the whole does child tax credit balance out the decreased housing benefit and decreased council tax rebate?

 

Many Thanks

[honeybee13]

Hello there.

 

I can't guarantee it will answer your questions, but this benefits calculator is worth looking at. You don't have to give any personal details.

 

http://www.entitledto.co.uk/

 

My best, HB

[abc123def]

My CTC didn't affect my housing benefit and council tax benefits at all

[estellyn]

Depends on whether you're on an income based benefit, or low income. If on an income based benefit then CTC will have no effect on HB/CTR. If on a low income/non income based benefits then it will affect the calculation and may affect how much you receive.

[craigers]

My local authority keeps asking if i'm claiming tax credits so i guess hb and ctax rebate will go down if i claim ctc.

[m1k3st3r]

My local authority keeps asking if i'm claiming tax credits so i guess hb and ctax rebate will go down if i claim ctc.

 

When I was claiming benifits... When I started receiving CTC my housing was lowered but only £10 or something silly but I worked out better off after. The calculator in the above post is your best bet. You can see what you will receive...

[id6052]

For every £1.00 you get in tax credits, you would lose up to 65p in HB

 

Historically you would also lose up to 20p in CTB. However since the introduction of local CT support in April 2013, the rate can now vary from LA to LA, though quite a lot have maintained the up to 20p level.

[craigers]

My rent went up at the end of November. I informed the council and they sent acknowledgement. They haven't adjusted my claim but they sent me a form to apply for discretionary housing payments. Is it likely that my claim will be adjusted?

[antone]

My rent went up at the end of November. I informed the council and they sent acknowledgement. They haven't adjusted my claim but they sent me a form to apply for discretionary housing payments. Is it likely that my claim will be adjusted?

 

Do you rent from a private landlord? If so, the council can only pay the appropriate LHA rate for your area and circumstances, regardless of what your actual rent is. However, there is some money available to councils to help those who have higher rents for one reason or another, and this is why they've suggested you apply for a discretionary housing payment which, if awarded, would help to cover any shortfall. Each application for discretionary payments is treated on its merits, so it's hard for us to say whether or not you'll get one.

[craigers]

Well the council sent an adjustment and there is... no change to the HB or CTB. I'm now £840 a year worse off due to the rent increase, which is approx £16 a week. Coincidentally, my HB award is approx £16 per week below the LHA for my circumstances. I just don't understand why my award hasn't gone up.