I totally don't get this. Am I or aren't I?

[SupSlick]

Okay, after what feels like an endlessly long time tolerating living with my parents I am now desperately hoping to move out and rent a property. It's taken me a long time to pay off previous debts from university & mat leave & I've saved up enough for a deposit, rent upfront agency fees etc.

There's just me and my DS(1) & I am currently working full time, but am transferring to a new position which is 30 hours a week & slightly more money so I'll be getting around £1k a month (similar to now)
I currently get £1k a month in child tax credits, working tax credits & child benefit. (67% of which helps pay nursery fees)

Am I classed as DSS? Every property I have looked at practically screams NO DSS, and I'm worried of falling in love with some place & then it being snatched from me because of benefit snobbery (and mortgage conditions, I know I know).

I am probably entitled to housing benefit but probably just a top-up (entitled to calculator said £20 a week) but if I lived frugally enough could just afford to move out without claiming it.

But would I still be classed as DSS? Scared to ring around & ask estate agents incase they put my name on an imaginary black list of potential rent-dodgers.

Help me understand how I will ever move out if I am classed as DSS!

No you're not. "No DSS" refers to income support etc. and housing benefit. If you're working you don't fall into this category, even if you are claiming a HB top up.

Just sighed such a sigh of relief.
Thank you! No one I have asked could answer this for me! I have anxiety issues so could not let this go! Thank you!

I get housing benefit top ups and I didnt even need to inform my landlord of any change in how I was raising the money to pay him.
If your entitled to it, claim it. If you are worried about not being a desirable tenant pass the credit checks, move in and then start claiming it.

Ahh OP, please don't get too excited (god, I'm hating writing this post) I was turned down for quite a few places when I was looking, despite working, as I said up front that I had hb top ups. There was caveats in a lot of peoples insurance / mortgages.

In the end, my estate agent - who were FAB, persuaded the landlord to change insurers at my cost (it was an extra £50 over the year) to one which weren't bothered by my top ups.

I found I had more success if I viewed and then explained in person to the EA / LL so they could see I didn't have 7 heads and a goat. It meant I did get my hopes up and dashed a few times though. I wish you lots of luck, I hope you find somewhere lovely :)