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Am I to become homeless?

  • tazman
  • Topic Author
14 years 6 months ago #21803 by tazman
Am I to become homeless? was created by tazman
I have just read the DWP new rules on Housing Benefit and am in tears already. I live on IS due to illness and get HB at a much lower rate than my actual rent. I have to top up my rental payments from my benefit as it is and it looks as though HB is to be slashed even further.

I live alone in a 2 bedroomed house and if my HB is slashed any more I will be unable to pay my rent.

I'm sure everyone knows how hard it is to find a decent place to live and my home is my only sanctuary. I have battled mental illness for decades (judging by school reports I believe I was born like this) and it has finally got the better of me.

I don't drink, smoke, go out anywhere, but to the shops and if my home is taken I will find it hard to carry on living. My home is close to my family members who provide me with support and I cannot bear the thought of having to move away.

I'm sorry to be so forthright and I hope I have not upset anyone. Can anyone ease my worries?
  • indieames
14 years 6 months ago #21804 by indieames
Replied by indieames on topic Re: Am I to become homeless?
I'm not sure what you mean by the new rules, could you clarify which ones you're talking about?

From what I read it's going to be better for disabled claimants as there will be a rule that says you're allowed a second bedroom for a carer.

The cap on payments of £400 per week (a lot of people seem to be misreading it as month) will only affect rents in very expensive areas, like central London. For most other places I don't think the LHA levels will really be affected.
  • tazman
  • Topic Author
14 years 6 months ago #21814 by tazman
Replied by tazman on topic Re: Am I to become homeless?
Oh thankyou Indieames! What a relief, I was indeed mistaking the weekly amount for monthly. My nerves have been on edge for months, waiting for the brown envelope.

I don't claim DLA so will I still be allowed to claim for a second bedroom do you know? That room is for the only joy in my life - grandchildren.

I know that means nothing to the powers that be of course.

Thankyou again, I've stopped crying now.
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14 years 6 months ago #21816 by Jeff1
Replied by Jeff1 on topic Re: Am I to become homeless?
Hi tazman, If you can try and get an appointment with the CAB or a welfare rights worker to seek further advice you will not lose anything by asking. Best Wishes
  • tazman
  • Topic Author
14 years 6 months ago #21825 by tazman
Replied by tazman on topic Re: Am I to become homeless?
Thanks also to you Jeff1. This site is a lifeline and a great comfort.
  • James
14 years 6 months ago #21830 by James
Replied by James on topic Re: Am I to become homeless?
The cap of £400 pounds a week is for big families isnt it?
A single person in a single place encounters a Local Authority HB cap called the single persons HB rate allowance
which would probably be around £130-140 a week in London just now.
This is all they will pay in rent.
Any extra has to be found by The Tenant.
At least think this is how it works?
A large family would need a large place and so sums are correspondingly higher..
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