Housing benefit

sim123

I spoke to someone on the phone today about housing benefit. I recieve housing benefit because I'm in supported accomadation. She said when you have £6000 in savings you are no longer eligible for it. Is this correct?

poppy123456

That’s not correct. The maximum amount of savings is £16,000 before means tested benefits stop. If you have more than £6,000 then there’s a £1/week deduction for every £250 or part thereof over that amount.

Jimm_Alumni

Hi @sim123, it is as Poppy says. £6,000 is just when your benefits starts getting reduced, you are still eligible to receive means-tested benefits until you have £16,000 in savings.

Was the person who informed you from an organisation?

sim123

Thank you, no I spoke to someone directly from housing benefit who told me this. It's confusing as conflicting information

sim123

P.s, do you tell them directly or will universal credit do it for me? When it comes to housing benefit as worried they will stop my claim completely

poppy123456

As you’re also claiming UC there will only be a deduction for this if you have capital of more than £6,000. For UC the deduction is £4.35/month for every £250 or part thereof over that amount. If you have access to a journal you will need to report a change of circumstances and then click money, savings and investments and report it through there.

If that capital includes the cost of living payments they are disregarded indefinitely.

sim123

Thank you poppy. The woman was adamant that £6000 would close my claim for housing benefit. How do I report to housing benefit? Thanks in advance

poppy123456

You ring them. Although it’s UC you need to report it to.

poppy123456

See link which will tell him that person is wrong. https://www.gov.uk/housing-benefit#:~:text=Usually%2C%20you%20will%20not%20get,home%20of%20a%20close%20relative

They may have been referring to council tax reduction because some local authorities have a maximum savings limit of £6,000 before entitlement to CTR ends.