Leaving Full Time Education - Fathers Benefits

[JBW1366]

Hi everyone:

Re - previous question with the same name (see my profile)

My daughter went to the council and enquiried about about paying rent / her father losing benefits and they said to her - she hasn't got to pay anything!!!

How can that be right? She is working full time is nearly 19, he has never worked on benefits they are in a privately rented 3 bedroom house, there are only two of them living in it, we want her here.

Do you think she hasn't got to pay anything this financial year? And maybe from April 2017 it will be the calculated?

How can that be fair she doesn't have to pay anything?

Please see previous question and answers as reference.

Thanking you all in advance for help

[Mamyalynne]

For reference

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Business-and-Finance/Personal-Finance/Question1500955.html

[Mamyalynne]

I find it curious that having an earner in the home won't affect Housing Benefit in any way.

[scorpiojo]

I don't understand. Her father should be losing Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit as per my link.

[Buenchico]

Link to original question:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Business-and-Finance/Personal-Finance/Question1500955.html

The rental contract is one solely between the father and the landlord, so the council staff have correctly stated that there's no obligation upon her to pay any rent directly to the landlord. (It's the father's responsibility to ensure that the rent is paid, either by him or through the benefits which he receives)

However the father is obliged to inform the authorities about the income of other family members living in the house, meaning that (now that the daughter is earning) he will almost certainly suffer a reduction in benefits.

It would therefore be appropriate for the daughter to pay money to her father in return for her staying in the house but any such arrangement is entirely separate to the father's contract with the landlord (and thus not officially regarded as 'rent').

[EDDIE51]

The total income of the household is what is counted,the fathers benefit cash and your daughters wage. As your daughter is just 18 and starting work her wage will be low.

[EDDIE51]

sorry hit submit by mistake.
The earning limit for housing benefit is high ( over 85% of housing benefit is paid to people in full time work)so the household , father and daughter, will still qualify for full housing benefit.
What age is the father? this is important as if he is of an age where he can claim pension or pension credit he will automatically get 100% housing benefit and council tax benefit . Is he registered as disabled or unable to work? again if he is he can get extra benefit.

[scorpiojo]

From the previous thread

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/applying_for_housing_benefit/housing_benefit_when_other_adults_live_in_your_home

[EDDIE51]

Fill this in as if you are the father with as much detail as possible
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/entitlement-calculator.aspx

[JBW1366]

Thank you for quick replies, I find it strange that they reckon that she won't pay anything. I know that because everything in his name but what I meant was, how come he won't be losing out on anything? It doesn't seem right.

He is not going to tell them because he doesn't want to lose out, but she has been into the council twice and told them she working full time and taking home over £700 a month, surely he should lose out as it's the total income has changed.

I'm worried because I don't want her paying for all his stuff, I don't want her being stung by the father to pay the short fall, or get a bill for outstanding money. I'm sure he hasn't even told the child tax credit or child benefit people either, the council said he should inform them ASAP.

I've told her to move here with me pay me some rent and the rest is hers, he surely going to make her pay.

[scorpiojo]

Hi JBW, as Chris said, ^ they may well have told your daughter that her father, rather than she, is liable for the reduction in Housing/Council Tax benefits.

Her father should have informed the DWP re Child Benefits & Child Tax Credits, but it's on his own head if he's not going to...

Will your daughter not come back to your home?

[Mamyalynne]

It sounds from what you say he want's his bread buttered both sides.

If he does not inform those paying his benefits of a change of circumstances then he is the benefits cheat not your daughter.

[ummmm]

The claim is in her father name. If he chooses not to tell them of any changes it's down to him, not her.

[Mamyalynne]

^ wants (rogue apostrophe)

[JBW1366]

I'm desperate for her to come here, we had a row a few years ago - teenage girl stuff.. School / boys etc the normal and she went there, and he let her do what she wanted when she wanted but here we had rules and curfews and she didn't want them at 15..

He's not going to tell anyone..

I'm desperate for her to come here, but she would still have to abide by some rules obviously but she's 18 she has more freedom, and a better life we have a lovely home and her room is waiting.

Thank you

[EDDIE51]

Remember that the father on his own in a 3 bed house will have 25% of his housing benefit deducted for the 'bedroom tax' as he has 2 spare bedrooms.
With his daughter living there the deduction is reduced to 14% as there is only 1 spare bedroom.so even with the daughters wage the actual total housing benefit will hardly change or could even increase! If the father gets DLA or PIP he can register his daughter as a carer and get even more benefit and no deduction from the housing benefit!

[ummmm]

Eddie...I thought that only applied to social housing and not private rents?

[EDDIE51]

Even more 'bad news' from your point. As a couple, father and daughter , they can now claim 'in work benefits' working tax credit for a start. This will be a lot more than the father gets on single person benefit.

[Mamyalynne]

Well, she's had a few years with him and obviously enjoys the free and easy life style under his roof.

If you intervene now I think she'll end up resenting you and that would be a harder bridge to rebuild.

Just be there if and when things fall apart.

[Islay]

Child benefit and tax credits will have to be renewed yearly after her 16th birthday, if he has deliberately lied on his renewal he will be found out. HMRC do checks with education establishments, but even then she is not liable he will be.

[Islay]

Father and daughter cannot claim tax credits as a couple!!

Daughter cannot claim working tax credit as she is not over 25 and does not have children.