Housing benefit

sim123
sim123 Online Community Member Posts: 29 Connected
in Benefits and income

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?

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    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
    Jimm_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,713 Championing
    edited July 2024

    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
    sim123 Online Community Member Posts: 29 Connected

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

  • sim123
    sim123 Online Community Member Posts: 29 Connected

    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
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    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
    sim123 Online Community Member Posts: 29 Connected

    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
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

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

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    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.

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