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Original poster

How much housing benefit would i be entitled to for house with 2 dc (differennt sexes)?

66 replies

allgonebellyup · 15/04/2008 19:18

Following on from my other thread about buying a flat due to split from ex, i am thinking about renting, but can only do this if i can get housing benefit..(i dont really work properly,only now have maintenance and tax credits as income).

All the 3 bed houses available are around £1200 a month where we live! but i could pay around £300 of that myself and also ex will pay me around £200-300. So would i be entitled to the remaining £700 in housing benefit?????

Have done the online calculator but it makes no sense to me!!

(Around 6yrs ago i received £520 a month for a 2-bed flat, just me and dd.)

OP posts:
Original poster
allgonebellyup · 15/04/2008 19:58

twinset

my ds is not yet at school and i already struggle working 20hrs a week, i still cant afford a modest flat with even more hours.
my job is cash in hand so i cant declare job to get a mortgage.

OP posts:
Original poster
allgonebellyup · 15/04/2008 19:59

my mum has said if i waste the money my dad left me (she says renting is throwing money down the toilet)she wont have much to do with me!!!
so i dont want to lose my mum

OP posts:
conniedescending · 15/04/2008 19:59

can you move to a cheaper area?

80k round here would be a substantial deposit on a 2/3 bed terrace (midlands)

misdee · 15/04/2008 20:00

does your mum really think that putting a roof over your heads is wasting money?

Original poster
allgonebellyup · 15/04/2008 20:01

yes am thinking of moving actually.

maybe back oop north.

OP posts:
hatrick · 15/04/2008 20:01

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Original poster
allgonebellyup · 15/04/2008 20:02

yes she does think that.

she thinks my ex should just keep paying his half of the house. She had grand plans for what i should do with the money my dad left me.

OP posts:
twinsetandpearls · 15/04/2008 20:02

Maybe you need to move to a cheaper area. I became a single mum with no money and very few belongings. I had to accept very quickly that i had to move. I would have thought i was in heaven if i had any kind of equity.

lulumama · 15/04/2008 20:02

£80 000 could buy you a 1 bed flat here just about , or go a loooong way towards a 3 bed semi

misdee · 15/04/2008 20:02

no1 should be getting a roof over your heads, not wheather or not you have savings in the bank. whats the point of savings if you have nowhere to live?

Original poster
allgonebellyup · 15/04/2008 20:02

i think i would rather buy a studio flat for all of us than spend that money on rent.

OP posts:
misdee · 15/04/2008 20:03

80k could get you half of a 3bed house here.

lulumama · 15/04/2008 20:03

i agree that you should be looking to buy somewhere, renting is not going to get you anywhere long term. am sorry your mum feels like this.

sleepycat · 15/04/2008 20:03

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BreeVanDerCampLGJ · 15/04/2008 20:04

HB is a safety net, for people who have very little, I am sorry but 80k in the bank is not very little.

I think your mother's attitude is very strange.

NotDoingTheHousework · 15/04/2008 20:05

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Original poster
allgonebellyup · 15/04/2008 20:05

well my dd is v happy at school here(already made her change school once), and on the county gymnastics squad.
Ds starts school here in september. Plus all my family and friends are here, it took me a long time to make a great network of friends.

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NotDoingTheHousework · 15/04/2008 20:06

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twinsetandpearls · 15/04/2008 20:07

You could buy half my house outright with that. I dont own half my house.

Original poster
allgonebellyup · 15/04/2008 20:07

i rang HB, they only help on mortgages under 100k

OP posts:
Original poster
allgonebellyup · 15/04/2008 20:08

yes i know i am v v lucky to have the 80k, but i cant spend it on anything!!! (frustrated face)

maybe i should pack our bags, cancel school/work and do a round the world trip???

OP posts:
NotDoingTheHousework · 15/04/2008 20:10

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twinsetandpearls · 15/04/2008 20:10

Can family and friends not help you with childcare so you can work more hours to get a mortgage. Can you move back home just whilst you get back on your feet.

conniedescending · 15/04/2008 20:25

could your mum buy your ex out and go on your current mortgage with you? pay half mortgage and have an investment for her retirement?

Indith · 15/04/2008 20:34

You could buy an entire 3 bed house up front in some areas around here.

I know your situation sucks
I know it feels horrible to suddenly be faced with having to use your savings
But that is what savings a for, to make ends meet and tide you over when times are hard.

Obviously I have no idea what you do and why it is cash in hand but that really is something you need to look into rectifying, you will have access to a lot more help with a 'proper' job including tax credits which can help to pay for more childcare and allow you to work more.