Housing benefit discretionary payments

[TakeTwoOfThat]

Hello

Thanks in advance for any advice

I recently found myself a single mum to 5 children after my husband left

I claimed I come support, and changed my tax credit claim to single. I was getting full housing benefit for around 6months then I was told it would stop due to the benefit cap ( even though the cap has been in my area for a few years so don't know why I was getting it for 6 months) I now get £2 towards my rent a month so I have to pay it out my tax credits and it's hard to Manage everything so I was wondering can you apply for discretionary housing benefit payments instance? Due to the benefit cap?

Please no judgement as this is temporary until I'm back on my feet and in work.

I don't receive any actual money from my husband as he wanted the maintenance arrangement to be where he buys them new coats, school shoes etc if and when needed, I felt I had to agree as everything that's happened I don't want no more trouble with him. He does stick to his word and buy them shoes and coats.

How many children do you have on your child tax credit claim?

@ivykaty44

There is 5

Does your husband work?

You can apply but it depends on your council whether or not you get it.
If your husband works you need to claim through CMS.

Then if I was in your position I would take the tax credit letter showing you get paid for 5 children and give it in at the hb council and ask for a reconsideration

Do you have an overpayment of hb? If so you can often get the amount you’re paying back reduced

Then you can also ask for DHP but remember it’s not always paid - but if you don’t ask you won’t get. Remember to make sure all your outgoings are scurried and include everything

Thank you all

I don't have any housing benefit overpayments.

My husband does work but wants me accept him spending money on the kids rather than pay me direct. Every time I say you need to pay me money to help with kids he said

'Let me see how much you get weekly before I give you anything'
So to save trouble I just say right buy the kids stuff
I really can't be dealing with him anymore 😢

What a wanker he is. Sorry OP. You clearly have a twat on your hands.

It depends which city/council but Manchester City council do Discretionary Housing Payments for people who are unable to pay their rent due to their housing benefit not covering the full cost of the rent.

You can request a form from them and fill out all of your incomings and outgoings and any debt and you can have the money paid directly to you or the landlord.

Sorry you're having such a hard time

Just go through the CMS they deal with it so you dont have to. He should be paying for his children!

He doesn't get to make that choice. Go through the child maintenance people.
Your council should hopefully be able to advise on discretionary payments. Single mum of 3 here and the benefit cap reduced my income by £250 a month 2 years ago. At one time my rent was covered but now isn't. Not even half. I get income support too and doesn't sound right that you get so little in HB. Can you check it with them? They do make mistakes sometimes