Benefits FAQs
Click a question to reveal the answer.
Q: How long does a claim take to process?
Q: From what date will my benefit be paid?
Q: Can I claim Housing Benefit if I work?
Q: I am self-employed - what information do I need to provide?
Q: What is Local Housing Allowance?
Q: What LHA Category/Bedroom Rate do I qualify for?
Q: I am a joint tenant. How will this affect the LHA I receive?
Q: Why do I have an overpayment?
Q: How will the overpayment be recovered/paid back?
Q: I might be starting work - how this will affect my benefits?
Q: Can my landlord be paid my Housing Benefit?
Q: How do my savings or capital affect my benefit?
Capital and savings are treated differently depending for those of working age and those of State Retirement Age.
If you are working age and have less than £6000, this is ignored completely for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit purposes. For every £250 (or part) above £6000, we must add £1.00 to your weekly income when we calculate your benefit. This is called 'tariff income'.
Examples:
-
A working age person with savings of £6001.00 equates to a weekly tariff income figure of £1.00
-
A working age person 60 with savings of £6500.00 equates to a weekly tariff income figure of £2.00
-
A working age person 60 with savings of £10 000 equates to a weekly tariff income figure of £16.00
If you have reached state retirement age, the first £10 000 of savings are ignored and the tariff income applied is £1.00 for every £500 savings you have over £10 000.
Please see Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit for older people for details.
Q: Why has my entitlement decreased when I have had no change in income or rent?
Q: I receive Housing Benefit but cannot pay my full rent. Can I get any other help?
Q: What is a non-dependant deduction?
Q: I think you have calculated my benefit incorrectly?
Q: When will the April 2011 LHA changes affect me?
Q: What is a Shared Accommodation Rate?
