Housing Benefit Rules

[Pippa68]

Can someone receive housing benefit if they live with a relative?

The tenant is in receipt of pension credit and is unemployed.

TIA

[Ethel]

Very confusing question.

Who is the tenant that is in receipt of pension credit? Is this the householder or the family member that wants to move in?

[Pippa68]

Sorry for the confusion, Ethel.

The person in receipt of pension credit wants to move in with a family member and claim housing beneft to pay rent to them ~ they are homeowners, and are unsure as to whether the council will accept this.

This question was asked of me this morning in the school playground, so it is all the info I have!

[Pippa68]

Thanks IAP :o)

I shall pass on this knowledge..however I did tell my friend to do what you have suggested ~ get in touch and ask!

[johnny37]

I have known step children to claim housing benefit, eg they have a different name to their parents and the council are not even aware. In A Pickle, surely all LAs should intepret the rule the same. The children have to live somewhere so why not with the parents?

[johnny37]

I can see how the rule can be manipulated. But in my opinion if you are entitled to benefits it does not matter where you live. it seems perverse to me that you cant live with your uncle/parent but you can live in a house owned by him. I'm sure there are cases where landlords buy a string of houses and let each one to a different relative. Wry smile!.