Housing benefit rise for private renters

[Eaudeunaturale]

Received new statement today but I’m still on the old rate, according to the council website I should be receiving a fair bit more from 1st April (I have to pay a top up every month so the extra would mean I don’t need to pay the top up)
Has anyone received a new award notice with a higher amount?

It starts on April 6th so you will see the change in your May payment. Unless you are affected by the benefit cap.

I think I am affected by benefit cap, I’m on legacy benefits atm, ahhhh that’s made me feel so frustrated, my landlord is asking to increases the rent, I am already using the benefit money I am supposed to live on and provide for my children with to pay the top up, it just feels as if there is no support for private renters

It's so frustrating. I already have my universal credit reduced because of the benefit cap so I won't receive the increase in housing allowance or the extra £1000 per year universal credit increase. It's so unfair. I wish I could move to somewhere with cheaper rent I would be much better off but I can't afford moving costs on the £16 I have left to feed and clothe myself every month.

Your landlord is increasing the rent?!? Now?!?
I've had two tenants say they won't be paying for now, maybe a bit when the government scheme kicks in in June. I live off the rents so it's a blow. But there's nothing I can do. Can't believe anyone is actually thinking of raising the rent.

My friend got his today. Considerably higher - which he needed as he’s lost his income. But he did have to send firms in last week.

Forms, not firms 🤣

Yep my tenancy is on a yearly renewal and is due for renewal in May, he hasn’t increased rent for 2 years and has said he will be this year.
So at the moment my housing benefit covers the majority of my rent but I have to make up £100 a month,
So the government says I have £73 a week to live on (income support) but I actually don’t see that for a week and a half.

I know we are very lucky to have thr benefits system in this country and I am very grateful as my sudden change circumstances meant I wasn’t left with nothing (redundancy while Pg) but I feel penalised for not being in a council/HA property

@whyamistillhere I wouldn’t mind having such little money left if I was just paying essential bills like gas and electric etc but I have scaled back so much, no tv license (currently using friends Netflix and We split the cost) no contract phone and try not to top up my pay as you go, walk everywhere as much as possible, don’t buy clothes for myself etc.
Even more frustrating at the moment is the landlords unwillingness to fix anything (bathroom and kitchen need resealing etc)

You need to ask your Housing benefit department for a Discretionary Housing Payment application form for help with the shortfall. It is not means tested and a limited fund but used regularly in my area for benefit cap customers.

Thank you @fitflop I did apply last year but was told I didn’t qualify (maybe because I’ve reduced my outgoings too much to make up for the shortfall)
I will apply again though once I have confirmation of the rent increase

I would say put as much information as possible on the form. Explain how you’ve ended up on benefits -made redundant when pregnant and that although your expenses may be lower than your income it’s only because you have cut everything back I.e. no tv licence and that this isn’t sustainable long term with children or your family well being/metal health. Even explain that recently no offers in the supermarkets so your food is more expensive. If refused ask for a team leader to look at it again. Ask them if they have a financial inclusion officer working in benefits - ask them to contact you. They can help with your utility bill rates, grants you may not know about, they help at Christmas with hampers, all sorts and they can support your DHP request. But of course currently they will be very very busy so you may have wait for them to get in touch.

@fitflop thank you so much have screenshotted and will get in contact once the offices are open again

I have also scaled back everything I possibly can. I don't have netflix or tv licence or phone. I'm on the cheapest broadband I can get and that is the only "luxury" item I have.

@fitflop I know that wasn't aimed at me but thank you for info. Is the discretionary fund just for if you have children? I'm in the same boat with redundancy but without kids. The supermarkets thing is so true. I actually cried in tesco last week when I could only get expensive toilet roll and not the cheapest stuff because quilted puppy soft is so far outside my tiny budget

The info was for anyone who would find it useful. Anyone can apply for a DHP- you don’t have to have children. They are looked at on a individual basis taking into account your income/expenses and personnel circumstances. Local authority’s get a set amount each April that has to last them the whole year so it is given to those deemed to be most in need.

@whyamistillhere if you are struggling please see if your council has a financial inclusion officer, make contact and ask for a food bank voucher. We also have something called Fairbite, google to see if in your area. It’s a run like a membership club, you pay £2 on the door and get to pick certain number of items. Think it may be 10. This is something your financial inclusion officer would know about and any food parcels due to Coronavirus being run in your area.

@fitflop Thank you