Would I be entitled to much help?

YaB · 2024-10-26T21:29:17+00:00

In a nutshell, partner cheated so we’ve separated. I get DLA for DD and carers allowance, she has an EHCP. I know there’s UC but I’ve never claimed before so no idea what I’d be entitled to. I can’t stay in family home as it’s rented and it’s too much. I can’t ask anyone as I don’t know anyone in this exact situation. I own a one bed flat that I rent out so that classes as income so I can’t work at the moment due to my child’s SEN. Think special unit at school Can anyone advise please? TIA

Seasideresort · 26/10/2024 22:30

You would have to move into your one bed flat to claim UC. You can't claim it otherwise because of owning the flat.

CoastalCalm · 26/10/2024 22:30

There’s a website online ‘entitledto’ which could give you an indication

SENehcpHELP · 26/10/2024 22:31

Go on entitledto website and put all your details in and it’ll show if you’re entitled to anything

IVFmumoftwo · 26/10/2024 22:31

You would have to live in the flat you rent out otherwise it will be classed as capital and you won't receive UC.

NunyaBeeswax · 26/10/2024 22:32

The best thing I can suggest is to go to:

www.entitledto.co.uk/

Fill it all out as best you can and it should give an idea.

withgraceinmyheart · 26/10/2024 22:32

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. There are a few calculators online that would be helpful

eg https://www.entitledto.co.uk

You could also ring citizens advice. Check what help you’re entitled to with your rent before you commit to
moving.

Benefits Calculator - entitledto - independent | accurate | reliable | www.entitledto.co.uk

Check what benefit entitlement you are entitled to. The entitledto benefits calculator will check which means-tested benefits you may be entitled to e.g. tax credits, universal credit, housing benefit …

https://www.entitledto.co.uk

withgraceinmyheart · 26/10/2024 22:34

I missed the bit about owning a flat. As PP said you’d have to live in that to claim UC and you wouldn’t get help with the rent on the house you’re in

lexi873 · 26/10/2024 22:37

I thought you’d be entitled to UC just not the housing element if you own a property.

The Entitled to website will tell you for sure.

NunyaBeeswax · 26/10/2024 22:39

I had a buy to let.

There was a split with an ex and mortgage and a whole thing..

I rented out the house and had a mortgage.
The income was less than the mortgage though. I still claimed UC. I can't recall the house affecting the claim. Hut obviously if OP owns the flat outright, that's a different situation and things might be different nowadays, my by toilet got sold 7 years ago at least.

Original poster

YaB · 26/10/2024 22:44

Seasideresort · 26/10/2024 22:30

You would have to move into your one bed flat to claim UC. You can't claim it otherwise because of owning the flat.

I did wonder about that, but It’s rented out and has been for the last 6 years so I didn’t think that would be allowed as it would mean making the tenants homeless?

Do you think that would be ok? If so it’s certainly a solution, though if I’d be worried about them.

It is owned outright (it was bought cheap years ago) and we could live there rent free but the poor tenant 😔 though I realise the state won’t be arsed about that family

OP posts:

ShiningforLeeBertie · 26/10/2024 22:48

lexi873 · 26/10/2024 22:37

I thought you’d be entitled to UC just not the housing element if you own a property.

The Entitled to website will tell you for sure.

No, owning a property you dont live in counts as capital, and assuming its worth over £16k that will put you over the threshold for claiming UC.

cadburyegg · 26/10/2024 22:49

I'm a single parent claiming some UC. You will not be entitled to it if you own a flat that you rent out.

Any savings over £16k, or "capital" which includes property you don't live in, will be taken into account and you won't be eligible.

You'd be better off selling the flat and using the money as a deposit on a home to live in. You'd be entitled to help with UC then, although not the housing element.

Livelovebehappy · 26/10/2024 23:07

it obviously must be a very distressing for OP. Splitting with a partner, whatever the circumstances is a traumatic life changing event. But I can’t believe that someone who actually owns a property outright, with clearly thousands invested in that asset, would actually think they’re entitled to any government help.

Sometimeswinning · 26/10/2024 23:15

Livelovebehappy · 26/10/2024 23:07

it obviously must be a very distressing for OP. Splitting with a partner, whatever the circumstances is a traumatic life changing event. But I can’t believe that someone who actually owns a property outright, with clearly thousands invested in that asset, would actually think they’re entitled to any government help.

I imagine the op has panicked. I’d do the same.

Original poster

YaB · 27/10/2024 00:16

Livelovebehappy · 26/10/2024 23:07

it obviously must be a very distressing for OP. Splitting with a partner, whatever the circumstances is a traumatic life changing event. But I can’t believe that someone who actually owns a property outright, with clearly thousands invested in that asset, would actually think they’re entitled to any government help.

If it was as straightforward as selling the property, that would be fine but there are many obstacles in which to do so. Tenants have a right for starters. My understanding is it can take months and months to be in a situation to sell the property. Yes I own it but it’s their home.

OP posts:

friendlycat · 27/10/2024 00:30

Livelovebehappy · 26/10/2024 23:07

it obviously must be a very distressing for OP. Splitting with a partner, whatever the circumstances is a traumatic life changing event. But I can’t believe that someone who actually owns a property outright, with clearly thousands invested in that asset, would actually think they’re entitled to any government help.

Sorry but this.

You will need to go through the process of legally serving notice to your tenants and moving into your flat that you own outright.

ItsTheGAGGGGGGGGG · 27/10/2024 00:33

You either serve a section 21 notice and get your tenants out of the flat so that you can move in. Or you get your flat back, sell it and use a deposit to purchase a place elsewhere. You can claim UC however they won’t pay towards your housing

ItsTheGAGGGGGGGGG · 27/10/2024 00:33

Livelovebehappy · 26/10/2024 23:07

it obviously must be a very distressing for OP. Splitting with a partner, whatever the circumstances is a traumatic life changing event. But I can’t believe that someone who actually owns a property outright, with clearly thousands invested in that asset, would actually think they’re entitled to any government help.

I think we can give the OP the benefit of the doubt as they probably aren’t thinking properly. Sometimes it’s easier to come on MN and provide context so that people can give answers. Instead of assuming they’d be entitled to xy and z

MissTrip82 · 27/10/2024 00:43

Why would the tenants be homeless? They would need to find somewhere else to live, It’s one of the downsides of renting.

Blondeshavemorefun · 27/10/2024 00:49

If you want uc help as others said either go and live in the flat or sell it

If you sell it offer it to the tenants first

If you do sell then think there is possibly 6mths Grace if using that as a deposit on a home that it doesn't count in savings

Or I may be wrong

But then buy and you will hopefully get uc but you won't get housing element but will get a higher work allowance (know you don't work)

Aligirlbear · 27/10/2024 00:50

YaB · 27/10/2024 00:16

If it was as straightforward as selling the property, that would be fine but there are many obstacles in which to do so. Tenants have a right for starters. My understanding is it can take months and months to be in a situation to sell the property. Yes I own it but it’s their home.

Show quote history

The owner requiring use of their property is an acceptable legal reason for being able to serve notice on your tenants serve a section 21 notice. The time for getting our tenants out will depend on the notice period in their lease. As tenants they will be aware that this is a possibility. Morally may not sit comfortably with you but as it is an asset the state won’t pay to help you live elsewhere while you are receiving rental income and have a home you could live in.

Willyoujustbequiet · 27/10/2024 01:49

Yes you can't claim UC if you have property you don't live in as it counts as capital and you will be over the threshold for eligibility.

But I do think an earlier poster is correct in saying there is a grace period with capital from a house sale in order that you can buy a property you intend to live in.

autienotnaughty · 27/10/2024 02:34

Are you declaring the earnings on the flat for carers? You can't earn more than £151 per week. Although you would be able to take expenses off the rest and just declare profit.

Original poster

YaB · 27/10/2024 05:45

autienotnaughty · 27/10/2024 02:34

Are you declaring the earnings on the flat for carers? You can't earn more than £151 per week. Although you would be able to take expenses off the rest and just declare profit.

Yeah flat earnings are declared as my income so I can’t work as it would take me over the £151 weekly threshold.

OP posts:

LakieLady · 27/10/2024 05:51

lexi873 · 26/10/2024 22:37

I thought you’d be entitled to UC just not the housing element if you own a property.

The Entitled to website will tell you for sure.

The value of a property that you own but don't live in counts as capital, and having capital over £16k means you aren't entitled to means-tested benefits.

Start taking steps to evict the tenants and move back in OP.