Housing Benefit

[xolily]

Hey

Could anyone tell me, when working out if you're entitled to housing benefit do they include child tax and child benefit as your earnings?

I've applied for it and they've wrote back saying i'm entitled to £92.50 a week (my rent is only £90) and they've worked that out on the basis that I earn £187 a week.. which is correct, minus my child tax and child benefit?

I only applied on the off-chance I might get some help.. I didn't think it'd work out that they'd end up paying the whole of my rent.. it just seems abit much!! They've backdated it and owe me near on £800 but I don't want to spend it incase there's been a mistake and I have to pay it back lol

Thanks for any help xx

 

[kellgell06]

Hey,
Im not sure if they include child tax credit and child benefit. Did they ask if you were recieving any other benefits? If they didnt then maybe they dont include it.
Wish i could give an answer but i am in the middle of making a claim for the first time.

 

[Jemma_x]

If your on income support or JSA then i dont think they include it but i think if your actually working then they take into account everything else

 

[kirst1805]

they don't include child benefit at all now.. i'm sure everything else counts though.

xx

 

[Tegans Mama]

Yes they do, if you earn a wage.

 

[xolily]

hmm they've messed it up then! pain in the bum, i've been waitin nearly 2 months for this.. now gonna have to wait for them to do it again =S blah x

 

[kirst1805]

I was right about the child benefit hun,

from Directgov:

Important changes for people receiving Child Benefit
Child Benefit is no longer counted as income when working out how much Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit you can get.

This means that some people currently receiving Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit payments will receive more benefit with which to pay their rent and council tax.

In addition, some low income families may now get Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit as a result of this change. If you think you may now be entitled, contact your local council.

 

[stephx]

Child benefit isnt counted as income but any tax credits definatly is sorry hun xx

 

[xolily]

thanks xx

 

[mamalove]

Did you mention what benefits you were receiving when filling in the form?