Housing benefit for private rent

[Thaigal]

Currently I live with my 2 sons in a horrible little council house on a horrible rough estate with horrible schools and a horrible atmosphere!

After christmas I am hoping to start part time work, I ultimately want to move into a private rented house. I have seen a lovely one in a perfect area for £395 a month, is this excessive? I am hoping to get help with the rent even though it will be privately let and I know they're funny about helping people who are paying more than they need to...

I have been on "entitledto" but the amount they say I'd get seems a little unrealistic, according to them I would be bringing in around £1400 a month working 20 hours a week inc working tax credits, child tax credits, mainanance, child benefit and housing benefit, does this seem unrealistic?

I'm so desperate to move from this area, please help if you can

oh thaigal, it totally depends on how much places cost round you

they won't pay moe than what you'd need for a 2 bed house for your boys and you though.

fwiw, no, that wouldnt be at all rxcessive round here (cardiff) but iy depends.

you can get them to do a pretennancy determination which locks them to paying the amount of the determination, btw, so no nasty suprises.

oh fwiw I got around £1500 after tax excl benefits when I worked 25 hrs...dunno if that helps.

I found the entitledto website too and thought it was a little generous. However, after visting our local council website they had a similar calcualtor and we got the same amount.
We have asked for a HB application form and they have posted one out to us today.
Fingers crossed for you.

BTW should add, we privately rent, my husband works 39hrs p/w too.