Moving house and housing benefit question

Loumc48

Hello

We are moving house in the next few days.

My husband and I were the only ones named on our current property as we were the only ones on the tenancy as my kids were minors when we moved in, however, on the new property , my son is down as a tennent alongside myself and my husband. He works full time.

I am really worried that this will affect our housing benefit for which we get a 100% reduction and was hoping one of you kind people could let me know.

My husband is on higher rate pip for daily and mobility, LCWRA, ESA and we both claim UC jointly.

Many thanks

Kimi87

If there are three people on the tenancy, then it's highly likely the rent you & husband are legally liable for is 66%, which is in all likelihood how much Housing Element you will be given.

I'm sure your son can afford to pay the remainder especially as he's working full time.

Loumc48

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1089581#Comment_1089581

Thanks but I am really confused. Do you mean that we will be liable for 66% of the monthly rent or the council tax. Would we get less UC then? My son will be contributing but just trying to work out how much our incoming money will change by

Chris75_

You would get a reduction in housing benefit, you and your husband. Your son would pay his third of the rent. That's how i interpreted Kimi's advice anyway.

Loumc48

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1089587#Comment_1089587

Thank you @Chris75_

Chris75_

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1089592#Comment_1089592

Please don't quote me, i'm sure @Kimi87 will come back to clarify.

Kimi87

Yes that's what I meant.

UC will most likely deem you as a couple legally liable for 66% of the rent, so your UC Housing Element will be likely be paid at a level to reflect that.

Council Tax Reduction is decided on at a local level and each local authority has different rules for this, meaning it's very hard to advise on individual cases from here.

Loumc48

thank you @Kimi87

Theinternet

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1089597#Comment_1089597

I'll be honest, I think they should go to the CAB asap. This situation could cause problems if they're on income based ESA and soon to migrate to UC, given how different the rules can be on UC, particularly the way it often treats households.

Kimi87

Both claim UC already (in those circumstances the ESA mentioned will be New Style which is Contributions Based) so I assumed both were under pension age, no mention of being in a mixed age couple. I can only advise based on the information given.