new LP - order of events re housing benefit/private rent

[circlehead]

Hi all,

I am staying at my dad's with DS temporarily after escaping leaving XP, and starting to sort myself out re income support etc. Went into council today to pick up form for housing benefit and trying to figure out what order things go in. From what I gather, I have to find a flat first before applying for housing benefit. But what if I sign up to a flat, then housing benefit refused?? Also, what address do I put on forms etc? My dad's where I am currently or potential new address?

And when flat hunting, do you state outright that rent willl be paid by HB? Or let them see that you are a decent reasonable human being first?

Sorry for being dumb, but all new and overwhelming =(

Oh, and how long does it typically take to get HB up and running, ie, will I be paying rent out of my own pocket for 3 months before claim goes through?

Thanks for all help x

citizensadvice.org.uk

please pm me if u have any trouble accessing them,df works fort them,will try to help but please make appointment with them in your area,they can help x

I've just done this,am now in my flat

What i did first was get onto council list,they advised me to look for private rent as housing stock very low/non existant,i found a flat to rent,landlord was aware i would be on hb.

I filled out the hb form,putting address of my new flat.

I had to find a security deposit and a months rent in advance,these had to be paid before my move-in date.

I handed everything into council asap,hb form,tenancy agreement,proof of benefits etc...

On my move-in day i had to tell the council i had indeed moved in,they then started to process my claim.

There was a back-log but luckily i got my rent paid in time,otherwise i'd have had to find the rent myself for the first official rent payment (which was the second payment when you take into account the month's rent in advance)

My local council one stop shop were absolutely fantastic with advice and were very efficient helping me to sort things out.

Hope this helps and has answered some of your questions Good Luck x

If you get Income Support, ti's what's called a passported benefit. This means that it's a passport to other benefits, in your case, Housing Benefit.

So unless there's a reason for you to have deductions from your HB (eg non-dependents in household), then you'll get your full entitlement of HB.

Your local council's website should show you what that HB will be.

How many children do you have and what are their ages and sex? This will tell you what lha figure you are entitled to. Ask the council if they do a tenancy deposit scheme so you don't have to find it yourself. Pm me if you want.

On your forms for wherever you put where you are now - your Dad's address.

HB is paid four weekly in arrears when renting privately / RSL. It will be paid to your bank account as it's your responsibility to pay it to your landlord / agent. That said, you may be able to ask for it to be paid direct to the landlord.

You (sort of) have a month to get HB up and running, as they expect you to bring in all your necessary docs within the month from you applying.

In your case, you'll most likely need to prove who you are - so id docs, and that you're on IS. Though they'll most likely want to see two months bank statements as well.

Once you move into your new address, they'll want proof of residency - a utility bill is preferred.

HTH

Have just realised you have 1 child sorry. This means you will get the 2 bedroom rate. Should be on the council website. Depends on what your income is how much you will receive. Housing benefits can do a calculation for you before you take a tenancy.

hmm well every time i have moved house (18 times in 10 years) it has taken at least 2 months to get the HB sorted despite several times being 'passported'

how long claims take depends on your local authority. I have found it helps if you phone every day to 'check progress of claim'.

Be straight with agents and tell them you will be claiming housing benefit. many landlords wont accept it for whatever reason. it will limit your options but honesty is the best policy.

Do not pay out for agent fee's etc without speaking to the council first. you should have been allocated a 'homelessness prevention' officer. the council can help with the deposit, moving costs etc, you just need to know what to ask for.

make sure you are on the local social housing register.

sorry to hear you are in this situation.