2 tenants - 2 separate housing benefit claims?

Lottie1732

In the next couple of months I will not be able to pay my rent (to private landlord). If, as a last resort) I move in with my mum, can we both legitimately have separate housing benefit claims (if I'm made a joint tenant with her). It's 2 bedrooms and clearly we'd both have an entitlement to 1 bedroom each. She currently has housing benefit but it is not the full amount of the rent as she is "overhoused" as she has 2 bedrooms and she's only entitled to 1. 

I applied to the council housing list 6 months ago and they are currently (they say) getting around to it. Moving back home would be a last resort. I don't want to be the cause of my mum having to start jumping through lots of official hoops.

Sorry if this is in the wrong place. 

Thank you
Lottie  

L_Volunteer

Hey @Lottie1732. Thank you for reaching out to us. It sounds like a really challenging time for you at the moment, with struggling to pay your rent.

In terms of housing benefit, it seems to be related to the household as a whole, rather than the separate individuals who live within it. 

To me, this implies that you would only get one lot of housing benefits that you could divide between you. However, the amount of housing benefit you receive could be higher.

The Government website highlights that how much you get depends on:

• The lower figure of your 'eligible' rent or LHA rate

• your household income including benefits, pensions and savings (over £6,000)

• Your circumstances (for example your age or whether you have a disability

I hope this is at least semi-helpful. There are also many resources available which can provide more targeted support and guidance around struggling to pay for private rent.

Examples include:

• MoneyHelper
• Shelter
• Citizens Advice

Please don't hesitate to let us know if there's anything else we can do to support you. We are all here for you and, at the very least, listening to you