Claiming for service charges and major works

Hi rich_hobbs_1,

I'm assuming you wouldn't be paying rent and that the flat is either mortgaged or paid off.

Some service charges can be included in the calculation of income-related employment and support allowance (ESA). If the service charges are for communal things such as upkeep of a lift, cleaning communal areas and buildings insurance which is a condition of the lease, they can be covered.

But if they are just for your individual flat, or they are for something more than just accommodation (such as an alarm system), they can't be included.

If they can be included then they would be part of your income-related ESA. The DWP would need evidence of what you have to pay, and what the service charges are for, so you would need invoices, proof you were responsible for paying, and a breakdown of what the service charges are for.

Hope this helps.

Will

Should just say that major works which you mention in the title of your post are something else and probably wouldn't be included in your benefit. Things like minor repairs and maintenance cost should be fine, though.

Will