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Tilly Asks...
My enquiry is regarding benefits - carer's allowance, income support, council tax, housing
My boyfriend is about to move in with me. At present he lives in a flat provided by North British Housing Association but we are planning to move into my property which is privately owned (mortgaged). He is currently unemployed as he provides full time care to his mum who is disabled. He claims carer's allowance which is topped up with income support. He is also in receipt of council tax benefit and housing benefit.
I was in full time employment until 18th December 2008. I am not and have never claimed any benefits. As yet I have been unable to secure new employment but am working on a casual basis. I have only been doing this as of 19th January 2009 and have earnt the following each week (before tax).
19.01.09 - £97.64
26.01.09 - £131.60
02.08.09 - £93.40
This casual work is due to end at the beginning of March, by which time I am hoping to be in full time employment.
I understand as we are about to live together the claim process works on a 'couple' basis. My enquiry is regarding how this will affect my boyfriends benefits. I understand that he will be able to continue to claim the carers allowance but don't know if this will be topped up with income support still when he moves in with me? Will he get any housing benefit which could pay towards my mortgage? And will we be able to claim council tax benefit? We don't have any savings or capital.
I understand if our circumstances were to change the outcome could be completely different. But these are our current circumstances.
What we suggest...
Hi there and thanks for sending in your enquiry,
You have given us much information in your email and explained quite clearly your current circumstances, thank you for this.
Moving in together is a big enough step in itself let alone having to consider the practicalities of life such as benefits and money! We have tried to provide a breakdown of possible entitlement from what you have told us. However, given that your employment situation is temporary and is likely to change in the coming months, we have included below local information that you can access to review your entitlement.
You've told us your boyfriend is a full time carer and receives the carer allowance topped up with income support. If you were to move in together, his income support element will be affected. This is because it is means tested, which means other income in the household is taken into consideration. So, any earned income by you will reduce his income support. The carers allowance will not be affected by this.
Unfortunately housing benefit will not be payable. At present he receives this entitlement as he is a tenant, (be it private or of a housing association), and therefore is liable for rent. The rules state that housing benefit, (HB), 'can meet rent that you pay to your landlord, in respect of a tenancy'. HB cannot be paid if 'you make for a dwelling owned or part owned by your partner'. In simple terms, if your boyfriend was your tenant and you the landlord, then he would be able to make a claim. As you are a couple, there is no claim.
Following on from this, if you were to move in together and your weekly earnings continued as they are, (we've averaged it out at £108 per week), you maybe entitled to benefit of at least £18.23 council tax benefit (CTB).
The total amount of council tax you pay is dependable on three factors:
your property
which parish of Chorley you live in and
whether you are entitled to any discounts or benefits
As you are probably already aware the council tax bands range from A to H. The average annual charge for Band A being £970 and for Band H, £2900. As we don't have the details which would apply to your current housing, we have used the average household bill of £1300 as an estimate for working out calculations. For council tax benefit purposes you can make an application through your local council tax office on 01257 515151.
There is also an online benefits calculator service which is accessible via the council's website on https://www.echorley.gov.uk/benefitscalc/wbc.htm. This tool is extremely useful for when anyone wants to work out possible entitlement to various benefits including Working Tax Credits, (WTC). We have used a similar tool when making our calculations.
If you were to find suitable employment of 30 hours a week or more, you would also be entitled to WTC. The amount of entitlement will depend on your salary but we have worked out that if you averaged out at £200 per week, WTC would be £21 per week and CTC £4.
We hope this answers what you need to know and for future reference in case you need it please either contact us again through or there is a local service at:
Welfare Rights Service
Chorley and South Ribble Area Team
Lancashire County Council
35 - 39 Market Street
Chorley
PR7 2SW
01257 517272
which can be emailed on : leylandwrs@lancashire.gov.uk
We hope you find full time employment again soon, and that things go well for you and your boyfriend.
Best wishes
q2a
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