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Housing benefit to UC
- Williejohn
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2 years 3 months ago #273824 by Williejohn
Housing benefit to UC was created by Williejohn
Hi I am 64 yrs old but live in what’s known as supported living/retirement living , my accommodation is a 1 bedroom semi bungalow belonging to Leeds city council.
When I was in housing office I had mentioned about possibly applying for UC so I got some advice and told I could do it online so i did and also took advantage of getting an advance payment of £800 so thought maybe I will be a bit better of on UC rather than housing benefit. My HB was full rent and service charge for wardens who call in or phone, the amount was 412 per month. Wallop shock I got my UC of 67 after loan payment of 30 taken off which is 315 per month worse of. Therefore rent arrears are mounting and I’m being told all persons under state retirement age living in sheltered accommodation will all go onto housing benefit and be in my position, additionally council will not pay service charge and I asked can I please not use the service only to be told you don’t have to use it but you still have to pay for it !. Anyway I wand people to be aware that this is happening and if you have not been forced of HB on to UC please don’t as I feel I’m heading in direction of being removed from my home as all I can pay is the monies I get from UC which has a large shortfall.
When I was in housing office I had mentioned about possibly applying for UC so I got some advice and told I could do it online so i did and also took advantage of getting an advance payment of £800 so thought maybe I will be a bit better of on UC rather than housing benefit. My HB was full rent and service charge for wardens who call in or phone, the amount was 412 per month. Wallop shock I got my UC of 67 after loan payment of 30 taken off which is 315 per month worse of. Therefore rent arrears are mounting and I’m being told all persons under state retirement age living in sheltered accommodation will all go onto housing benefit and be in my position, additionally council will not pay service charge and I asked can I please not use the service only to be told you don’t have to use it but you still have to pay for it !. Anyway I wand people to be aware that this is happening and if you have not been forced of HB on to UC please don’t as I feel I’m heading in direction of being removed from my home as all I can pay is the monies I get from UC which has a large shortfall.
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- Gary
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2 years 3 months ago - 2 years 3 months ago #273853 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic Housing benefit to UC
Hi Williejohn
Welcome to the forum.
You might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explains where everything is; www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/faq/forum
I come across cases such as yours on a regular basis, the problem lay with calling where you live 'supported housing'.
There are two types of supported housing, general needs supported housing and claimants with a care plan supported housing.
You need to write on your journal that you are in general needs supported housing and therefore UC should be paying the Housing Element, you need to ask for an anytime review on your Journal and explain that you do not have a care plan so cannot claim housing benefit.
You should have sort advice before applying for UC, once you have applied for UC you cannot go back on to HB until you reach retirement age. If you still are having problems then contact your local Welfare Rights organisation; you can find your local Welfare Rights Organisation to help you with advice by clicking on the link below and putting in your post code, it will then come up with a MAP with a list of agencies. advicelocal.uk
Gary
Welcome to the forum.
You might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explains where everything is; www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/faq/forum
I come across cases such as yours on a regular basis, the problem lay with calling where you live 'supported housing'.
There are two types of supported housing, general needs supported housing and claimants with a care plan supported housing.
You need to write on your journal that you are in general needs supported housing and therefore UC should be paying the Housing Element, you need to ask for an anytime review on your Journal and explain that you do not have a care plan so cannot claim housing benefit.
You should have sort advice before applying for UC, once you have applied for UC you cannot go back on to HB until you reach retirement age. If you still are having problems then contact your local Welfare Rights organisation; you can find your local Welfare Rights Organisation to help you with advice by clicking on the link below and putting in your post code, it will then come up with a MAP with a list of agencies. advicelocal.uk
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 2 years 3 months ago by Gary. Reason: broken link
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