Latest Housing benefits FAQs from Warwick District Council.

Can I claim Housing Benefit or Universal Credit if I live on a narrow boat?

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 09:08:32 +0100

Question: Can I claim Housing Benefit or Universal Credit if I live on a narrow boat?

Answer:

If the narrow boat is your main residence, you can claim assistance in paying the following:

Mooring Fees
Continuous cruiser licence
Rent (if you do not own the boat)

If you are working age, then you may do so by claiming Universal Credit.

If you are pension age, then they may do so by claiming Housing Benefit.

Can I claim housing benefit if I sell my home and rent it back from the new owner?

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:34:13 +0000

Question: Can I claim housing benefit if I sell my home and rent it back from the new owner?

Answer:

Usually you will not be entitled to Housing Benefit if: You rent the home you once owned as a freeholder or leaseholder, and you claim housing benefit within five years of selling that home. This is called the "former owner rule". But this rule does not apply if you satisfy our conditions that you could not have stayed in your home without selling it, and of course this rule does not apply after five years have passed since you sold your home.

Who can claim housing benefit?

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:33:19 +0000

Question: Who can claim housing benefit?

Answer: Housing benefit eligibility

What rent details are required to claim housing benefit?

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:28:50 +0000

Question: What rent details are required to claim housing benefit?

Answer:

For private tenancies we require either:

A current signed tenancy agreement.
Your rent book.
Verification of Tenancy Form HB33 (PDF) completed by your landlord.

If you are renting a council property we do not require proof from yourself as we are able to obtain that information

What information is given to landlords?

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:26:18 +0000

Question: What information is given to landlords?

Answer:

Under the Data Protection Act and Social Security Acts we cannot automatically give information about Housing Benefit claims to landlords.

However, if a tenant has given us written permission to talk about their claim, we will tell their landlord:

Whether there is a claim for Housing Benefit and, if so, whether we have made a decision about it;
Whether we need further information to make a decision on the claim and, if so, what information this is.

What general benefit information is available to landlords?

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:21:24 +0000

Question: What general benefit information is available to landlords?

Answer: Benefit information for landlords

What should I do when renting from a private landlord, and receiving housing benefit?

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:16:01 +0000

Question: What should I do when renting from a private landlord, and receiving housing benefit?

Answer:

Before you sign the tenancy agreement you can check the maximum Housing Benefit you may receive under the Local Housing Allowance rules. Housing Benefit does not cover the cost of certain things which may be included in your rent such as fuel, water charges, laundry etc. These are called ineligible charges, if these are included in your rent the rent officer will take the value of these off the rent as we cannot pay for them.

Local Housing Allowance

How do I notify housing benefits of changes in my circumstance?

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:09:09 +0000

Question: How do I notify housing benefits of changes in my circumstance?

Answer: How to notify us and notification form

Where can I get independent advice on claiming benefit?

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:57:44 +0000

Question: Where can I get independent advice on claiming benefit?

Answer: Citizen's Advice Bureaux. Most bureaux offer home visits and some also provide email advice.

When will my council tax reduction/housing benefit start?

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:56:35 +0000

Question: When will my council tax reduction/housing benefit start?

Answer: Usually your reduction will start from the Monday after we receive your claim.

Apart from council tax reduction and housing benefit what other state benefits may be available to me?

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:55:13 +0000

Question: Apart from council tax reduction and housing benefit what other state benefits may be available to me?

Answer: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for claims of and the paying of Income Support as well as other benefits such as:

Attendance allowance (AA)
Disability living allowance (DLA)
Incapacity benefit (Incap)
Job seekers allowance (JSA)
Maternity Allowance

HM Revenue & Customs is responsible for benefits such as:

Child Benefit
Child Tax Credits
Working Tax Credit

The Pension Service is responsible for benefits such as:

Pension Credit

Gov.uk - Benefits

What income details do I have to supply when claiming council tax reduction/housing benefit?

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:49:54 +0000

Question: What income details do I have to supply when claiming council tax reduction/housing benefit?

Answer: See income details

What documents do I need to provide to claim council tax reduction/housing benefit?

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:47:11 +0000

Question: What documents do I need to provide to claim council tax reduction/housing benefit?

Answer: You must provide proof of the following:

Your identification.
Your national insurance number.
Your income.
Your Self Employed Accounts.
State benefits received.
Other income.
Savings and capital.
Household members.
Non dependants income.

What about my savings in terms of claiming council tax reduction/housing benefit?

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:36:55 +0000

Question: What about my savings in terms of claiming council tax reduction/housing benefit?

Answer: You must provide proof of all savings and capital you hold:

Savings Bank, Building Society and Post office accounts.
National Savings Certificates.
Income Bonds.
Premium Bonds.
Shares.
Unit Trusts / PEPs / ISAs / TESSAs.
Land and Properties

I'm struggling to pay my rent and council tax, is there any more help available?

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:31:58 +0000

Question: I'm struggling to pay my rent and council tax, is there any more help available?

Answer:

Awards of housing benefit and council tax reduction may not always cover the full rent or council tax you need to pay. So, if you receive housing benefit or council tax reduction, you are struggling to make ends meet and in need of temporary help - we may be able to provide extra money.

Discretionary Housing Payments are payments made in addition to the benefit award. Each case is considered on its own merit and will take into account the circumstances and, in particular, the effect the shortfall in benefit would have on the claimant and their family.

I have started work after being on benefit. Is there any more help available?

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:28:39 +0000

Question: I have started work after being on benefit. Is there any more help available?

Answer:

If your entitlement to certain benefits ends because you start work or increase your hours or pay, you may be entitled to an extended payment of your housing benefit and or council tax reduction for four weeks after your benefit stops. If you qualify, which is dependent upon meeting set criteria, you will receive the same amount of award as you did before you started work or changed hours.

Criteria for extended payments

How do I report a suspected case fraud?

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:26:38 +0000

Question: How do I report a suspected case of benefit fraud?

Answer:

You can report suspected fraud online.

How do I claim council tax reduction/housing benefit?

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:23:43 +0000

Question: How do I claim council tax reduction/housing benefit?

Answer:

To make a claim you will need to submit

A completed application form. Only one form is currently required to claim both council tax reduction and housing benefit.
And supporting information

Application form and how to apply

Do I need to fill in 2 forms for housing benefit and council tax reduction?

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:20:38 +0000

Question: Do I need to fill in 2 forms for housing benefit and council tax reduction?

Answer:

Only one form is required to claim both council tax reduction and housing benefit at the moment. However, with the introduction of Universal Credit, it may become necessary to separate forms for each benefit.

Application form