MY SON – He private rents. So, is he able to claim housing benefit and who do you contact?

[Guest]

My son is really struggling financially and works extra hours to try and make ends meet. His partner get ESA and a part time job. Claimed Universal Credit but only get £11 a month. He private rents so is he able to claim housing benefit and who do you contact please?

[Megan]

If he went onto uc he can claim housing benefit and this can be paid to the landlord weather it’s private or rented I think.

[Patrick]

I would say in order of priority they should try these first:

1. Partner gets a full time job.
2. Son works overtime.
3. Both look at gaining qualifications to increase earning potential.
4. As a last resort benefits, but aim to get of them as quick as possible.

[Miranda]

I’m sure housing benefit is now part of universal credit.

[Lynn]

His housing would be included in their claim for Universal Credit .You are not supposed to be working and getting ESA unless permitted work has been approved.

[Christine]

Has he thought about a DMP if debts are the problem it will reduce payments and pit them all in one place

[Jill]

Tell him to put a note on his UC journal today that he has housing costs and upload a copy of his lease to show how much his rent is. It can be difficult to get it backdated otherwise.

[Lisa]

As everyone has said it’s part of your universal credit claim. They ask you about your rent when applying to assess whether you’re eligible, so if they only got approved for £11 per month it may be because their income is too high. Might be worth double checking his details are all up to date though like the rent amount and their income in case anything’s changed.

I think most people are in the same boat now. Is there anything they can cut back on?

[Kathy]

Pls forgive me, I'm not up to speed with current rules, but it always used to be, if a Tenant misses 2 rent payments, the Landlord can go to Local Council, & from then on, it's paid direct to Landlord, 13 x 4 wkly. (For this reason, I'm shocked at the programmes on telly, saying L/lords thousands out of pocket, pre pandemic. Call the Bailliffe etc.) Best wishes to your Son/family.

[PatersoN]

Does the partner live with your son? If so, they would have to have a joint UC claim. He can apply for the Housong Element of UC, but I am guessing if he already claims UC this may already be factored in. Have a look on entitledto website. He can check what he may be eligible for there..

[Maurice]

Go to CAB, but be honest on your claims, the DWP are cracking down on fraud, and false benefits claims, CAB, will give you advice and say what your legally allowed to claim, don't take what people on here, say as fact.

[Lindsay]

Universal credit covers housing benefit. When he applied they would have asked for a copy of his tenancy agreement. When he goes on his statement on uc it should have a full breakdown of what he gets for which element.

Related: I've had my letter with a deadline to switch from working tax credits & tax credits to Universal credit

[Charlene]

Go on the turn2us website and they check what benefits they're entitled to on the benefit calculator.

[Erica]

He will need to check with his landlord as some buy to rent mortgages have a clause in them about not receiving HB. I found that out when I was looking to rent and my friend had a flat she was happy to let me have but that was in there.

Quite odd but there you go. also, not all landlord want to take HB so I would definately suggest he talks to them first.

[Sharon]

Hb is paid via UC. If he has shortfall in rent then he can claim dhp through hb. He need to make sure housing costs are paid with UC.