UC/LCWRA and Housing Element for Rent/Shares Ownership

Rea_ctor

Hi I'm hoping someone here is knowledgeable on my situation as I'm in a bit off a pickle. I am seperated, have three children I get 50% of the time, but my former partner gets the child benefits etc. What I currently get is £793 a month from 16 hours employment per week. And £795.68 from UC/LCWRA.

I currently live with my parents and the kids stay here with me (not ideal) I am on the council housing list as well as looking into shared ownership mortgages. There are shared mortgage ownership where you can purchase as little as 10% in my area meaning mortgage would be around £90 and rent £315.

Based in these scenarios what help could I get benefits/housing element wise.

1. Current circumstances - Working 16 hours per week earning £793 and receiving LCWRA at £795.68. How are benefits affected if I get my own place?
2. Working 30 hours per week earning roughly £1,364 per month after tax.
3. Working full time 37 hours. I take it no help will be available even as a single parent on minimum wage?

I would really appreciate any help I this, the calculators seem to spit out different values depending on which I use and I'm stressed to bits.

Thank you

poppy123456

In this situation you would be able to claim for help with the rent part of housing costs. As it’s social housing then you would be entitled to all of the rent being paid.

However, when you claim for help with the rent it will mean that your work allowance will reduce to the lower amount, which is £404/month at the moment.

You will not be able to claim any benefits for your children because their mother is already claiming them.

With earnings of £1,364/month then your UC would reduce by £528/month.

If you work 37 hours/ week then it will depend on your earnings.

I’d advise using a benefits calculator and put in different figures and see what it comes up with. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/

Rea_ctor

Hi thank you for responding. The home I'm specifically looking at is shared ownership as the council list is months long, so it would be part mortgage, part rent, is that counted as social housing or standard rent?

I am a little confused as to what work allowance is? I currently get:

Standard allowance

£393.45

You get a standard amount each month. You said you're single

Limited capability for work and work-related activity

£416.19

And that is on top of my 16 hours per week salary.

Apologies, I find benefits a minefield.

poppy123456

Shared housing is social housing so you will be able to claim for the rent part.

The work allowance is an amount of earnings you can receive each month before there’s any deductions in your UC. Due to having LCWRA you will be entitled to this and you should see it in the calculations on your UC statements. See link https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/universal-credit-uc-income-and-capital/universal-credit-uc-earnings#:~:text=How%20much%20is%20the%20Work,is%20%C2%A3673%20per%20month.