£16,000 ceiling and all that

Need2Know

This is a worry, and I want to do the right thing. I will try and keep it short.

I am over 65 (just) receiving housing benefit and AA. I have 9k in an ISA (just started) I have yet to be transferred to U Credit.

I have approx 6/7k in my current account and rising. Next month it's almost certainly going to exceed. Should I withdraw my HB claim. The mechanics for reporting to DWP seems cloudy. I would be greatful for any advise. Angie

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

Housing Benefit is done through your local council. They each have their own rules for that. My council stop HB at £10k, not £16k. Some make graded reductions for having over £6k. You should check what your local council rules are asap.

Attendance Allowance isn't being transferred to UC. And as you are above pension age, your Housing Benefit will not be transferred to UC either.

Need2Know

Thanks. Should have said I am single and live in Scotty Land.

Kimi87

Scotland has uniform Housing Benefit rules across the country.

https://opfs.org.uk/support-and-advice/your-benefits/benefits-have-changed/housing-benefit/#:~:text=The%20advice%20below%20is%20for,such%20as%20Statutory%20Redundancy%20Pay

Need2Know

Thank you for this information. As this month progresses, the current bank account balance will reduce from 6.5k as living expenses kick in. It's

fluctuating if that makes sense.

OverlyAnxious

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1025294#Comment_1025294

The rules for savings on Housing Benefit are slightly different to the ones for UC.

On UC, it only matters what the amount is on the final day of the assessment period (once a month). But with Housing Benefit, if you go over £16k at any point, you immediately lose entitlement.

Your income is not counted in that, so if you've been paid HB, but are still waiting for your rent to go out this month, don't include that HB payment.

The same applies to AA, your most recent payment is counted as income (minus anything you've spent from it).

If you can keep below £16k after income disregards then that is the least hassle. But if it does go over then you will need to declare that and lose the HB payments. I believe it is still managed through your local authority in Scotland, rather than the DWP. (Although the rules are the same across the country, which is certainly easier than in England.)

Need2Know

Much Clearer. Thanks very much 😀