Changes To Housing Benefits
 

From April 2013 Housing Benefits change, a person living on their own in a two bedroomed house will have the amount paid reduced by 14% if you have a three bedroom house by 25%.

It seems to me to be a little bit harsh and perhaps not all that well thoughtout.

Personally this will mean that if I choose to stay in this property I will lose approx £10 per week towards my rent, O.K. if a person is prepared to move into a one bedroomed property they will assist in finding a property, will there be enough single bedroomed places to go around? I doubt it.

I moved into this place back in 2007 when my house was bought for demolision, at the time I asked about a one bedroomed dwelling and was told the Council preferred to keep such properties for the disabled, I was offered the choice of three, two bedroomed houses, therefore it's hardly my fault that I have a spare bedroom. Why should I now be penalised for a move that wasn't even my choice?

Whenever I have a letter reviewing my benefits it is emphasised that I am on the MINIMUM amount allowed by law to survive, So where exactly am I supposed to find this extra £10?

I wonder how many people this new idea is going to affect and how much worry and hardship it will create?

If by magic, I can suddenly be offered a one bedroomed replacement for this house, why wasn't it offered 5 years ago when I asked for it?

I wonder, will there be some sort of appeal system in place? After all there was no objection to the my occupying a house with two bedrooms before so why should there be one now?
:(

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

I would be going in n asking em these questions, n wanting the answers.;) then if not satisfactory,yeh got summat to go elsewhere.;) They always said "God loves a trier."

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

You know I'll be finding out, I've a form to fill in from the housing association about it, a letter will be going in with it asking these and any other questions that may arise from this thread.
:)

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Perhaps I can do like they did with the Window tax and brick that spare bedroom off so that I can't use it, then it won't count as a room?

:D

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

I don't qualify for housing benefit but if I was in your position I would apply to join

BwithUs PennineLancashire - Home

and start applying for one bedroomed homes ASAP.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

There is a place in Blackburn where you can get help and advice on housing issues. A lady I know went for some advice and they were very helpful. If push comes to shove might be worth getting an appointment there. It is called Shelter and is based on Preston New Road

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

:pHow about knocking through and going open plan!

Would that count if it left just one bedroom?

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Rather a ridiculous suggestion.
Tenants have no right to make such changes.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

It was made in jest -the opposite of bricking up if you see what I mean.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Well, it was a larger bedroom split in two to make a bathroom so if the partician wall was removed...

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Good luck with that one. My cousin has been on their books for several years, she is over 80 and has medical issues and still has not got a place. I do the search for her every week.The number of 1 beds that come up in Hyndburn is tiny and you are up against applicants from other areas as well. Or maybe you don't mind moving out of the area? There may be properties in other places.

Godd luck and I hope you manage to stay put.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

they wont even make allowances for men who have their children over the weekend.God help a man with a daughter and a son because by law after a certain age they must have a seperate room so he will need 3 bedrooms.

also same above for women who dont have custordy of their kids.


its ideas like this that show the way teh torys think but surely a labour council dosnt have to enforce this does it or is it just a case of torys providing an excuse to save some money.Who in the council if at all sets out what is allowed to be paid and under what circumstances ?

seems a bit rich that a family that comes here and has paid sod all can get a £500 pw house but how dare a UK citizen have a 2 bedroom house because they dont make 1 bedroom houses

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

i beleive if you are a pensioner,this rule does not apply,if you already in a larger property,worth checking.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

No they won't because those children aren't living there on a permanent basis.

Yes of course it's an ill thought out 'Tory' idea, but a Labour or any other Council will have to apply the law/s made in Our wonderful Parliament.

Do you not see the trick?

Those of us affected are poor, we have to be poor to get the benefit, to blame everything on the Western Oriental Gentleman or any of his ilk is falling in line with what they want, division.

Division=Confusion.

Confusion=losing the arguement because we, (the poor), argue amongst ourselves instead of against the real cause.

I'm not going to get a bonus at the end of this year because I've failed to get a job, but my equivelent in Government/Banking will get a bonus for putting thousands more on the dole...


I honestly think (and hope), this will be another Coalition 'U' turn, Maybe they are chasing all the people living under one roof but not declaring it?

I could probably think of a cheaper way but, what the hey let's not worry, let's all apply to our Landlords for the spare bedroom to be removed?

Seems stupid to do that, but then, to penalise someone for living in a house when the whole district has thousands of houses exactly the same, with no alternative seems even worse.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

i got a letter from my landlord saying to preppare myself for teh extra i will have to pay because i have a second bedroom.

luckily in a few weeks this wont be an issue for me i will be paying my own rent but it is absolutely disgusting to force people further into poverty who can barely make ends meet as it is.

Just wait until they bring in no housing benefits for under 25 year olds and families been forced into been homeless

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

I believe you are right.
:)

However, the majority of those affected aren't in large properties, just living in the housing stock that is available.

A tax on the poor or what?
:confused:

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

i dont think we have seen the worse of this coalition,by a long way:(

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

I think you'll find its been carefully worked out.

The thinking is along the lines of:-

Cuts have to be made. Where can we make the cuts that will have minimum impact on votes for us at the next election?

After that, cutting housing benefit for those least able to afford it becomes a no brainer.

Don't forget we are all in it together!

Cynical? Moi?

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

How much will this save regarding housing benefit?..I know plenty of single bedroom flats that require much higher rent than some two bedroom.. so it would cost more to force someone out of a two bed flat into a single (that is if they can find one).

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

And let's get this clear..a fair proportion of the people who will suffer under these ill thought out cuts will be British men and women who have worked and paid tax most of their lives, who in later years, find themselves in a bad position regarding income and suffer the pressure of maybe not having a decent roof over their heads.. at the same time people like Baroness Warsi can claim £32,000 per year for hotel rooms not stayed in and not even blink.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Yep Tory scum just wait till universal credit comes in

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

I can see both sides, I've a friend desperate to move from a 1 bed flat into a 2 bed flat/house as she has a baby & her boyfriend is wanting to move in, she has been looking for ages but doesn't even get a sniff at the houses she bids on. Then again I can understand people not wanting to move from their homes that they have lived in for sometimes years. But at the end of the
day if you don't really need 2 bedrooms due to the size of your family, this is just putting out on people that could do with the extra room.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

does our council have to enforce this or can they choose not to ?

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Pretty sure its a government thing so councils won't have a choice. I did a Google search for cust at work bout housing & rent, it brought up loads different councils, so its not just Hyndburn

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Would have thought it mandatory as it is a government thing.

Important changes to Housing Benefit : Directgov - Newsroom

Anyway wouldn't any council want to get away with paying out as little housing benefit as they could?

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

This is the law of the land..it's all well and good for people to try and give advice and say this is not right but this should not be happening in the first place.. didn't notice much fuss when this became law..and has been said there's plenty more to come for those already in difficult situations.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

I'm pretty sure yeh wouldn't see both sides in "Less"s predicament?

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

You don't need a degree to work out the kind of havoc that will create regarding housing when it becomes law..Cameron has said he'd like to return to the days when a young couple moved into the parents home and saved up for a deposit on a mortgage.. that is the sort of pie in the sky world he lives in.:)

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Well that's all kak according to Garinda and Co.. the benefits system is far to generous..you should get nowt till yer hobblin around in bare feet :D

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

More stupid ideas from our government. I can honestly say I can only think of a few flats and one house that was a single bedroom(and that has been knocked down)

I think one of the problems with private housing these days is the high rent. Landlords charge whatever they want. £425 upwards per month for 2 bedroom terrace in the majority of areas in Accrington IMO to me is simply too high. Especially for those on low wages. The past 2 years; house sharing has been my only real option.


My housemate has been on with them for four years now. Recently they sent him a letter saying that he had to reapply and go to the bottom of the waiting list!

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Yes my cousin has just had to reapply, or rather I did it for her as you either have to do it online or go for an appointment at their office and she hasn't a clue about computers and has mobility problems having just come out of hosp. Still waiting for the result of the application.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Tory bastards! So right. Think of all the family strife cutting benefits to under 25 year olds will cause - they'll have to over stay their welcome in family homes, or turn to crime and or end up homeless!

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

the tory's say under 25's can go back home to their parents but what if mum and dad are both dead or were abusive.Are childrens homes to keep children until they are 25 stopping the intake of other unfortunate children?

i dont see these rules been u-turned although i can see the possibilty of the no rent for under 25's been u-turned so the torys can look caring by only deducting rent from people with a spare bedroom.


Seems to be this governments trick to deal 2 scumbag ideas and leave us greatfull for only having to deal with one scumbag deal.

what next a kick in the balls for every male over 18 and cutting out of their tongues then a u-turn on cutting out tongues leaving us greatfull for a kick in the balls

too late tory's you have already kicked everyone in the balls its justthat not everyone has felt it yet

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

To qualify for housing benefit, the fair rent for a specific property has to be approved by the Council, so landlords can't charge what they want and receive housing benefit on that figure.

Its a problem for people NOT on benefit, if the availability of accommodation is limited.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

I didn't know that. But in the past I have heard stories of the Council saying we are only paying so much, you find the rest.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

THere is an amount they have to pay by law.

Just think what damage it will do not letting under25's have housing benefit. It will stop people venturing out on their own and getting support - it will do a lot of harm. Unless it's means tested!

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

So where were you all kicking off about this change to housing benefit when it took effect from January 2012, if you are single (without dependents), in private rented housing and aged under 35 you will only be entitled to housing benefit at the same rate as you would get for renting a single room in a shared house. Basically you were stuffed when this was brought in if you were aged under 35.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

dont forget folks foreign aid has been increased and will continue to do so over the next few years.Its ok saying money has to be saved but its a bit rich stripping it from the poorer of society while pumping money abroad

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

thats new to me but in fairness i was probbably not aware of it because im well over that age lol

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

In fairness last time I saw you, you did look about 48 !

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

The whole of this, went straight under my radar, the last I'd heard that was similar was them discussing people living in a larger home perhaps letting a spare room to someone. So if someone has let someone under 25 move in with them are they now going to have to evict that person because they can't pay the rent?

It's a whole barrel of rotten apples.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

this might shock Mancie but I completely agree with the comments on this thread. Hyndburn is not like Manchester with its swathes of 1 bed flats and this rule would be completely unfair to the majority of single people in our constituency. Has any of you contacted Graham to put the case of non City locations?

as for costings you might be surprised, 425 a month is actually quite low, my friend at work has a 1 bed flat in a OK but not that special area of Sale and pays 550 a month....

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

This is all true Rob. My cousin that I mentioned earlier is at present living in a house that I own (ex-council) and I had to get a fair rent approved before she moved in eight years ago. But because the house has more than one bedroom the council will only pay her a reduced amount of housing benefit.

Because of health problems and advancing years she is now on the books with B With Us (what a daft name) looking for a 1 bed ground floor property. This has proved impossible to find for the last four years.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

was that you ?

didnt recognize you with the new zimmer frame.Were you on your way to pick up your new dentures :D

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

They have brought the rules in to try and encourage people not to rely on benefits and work for it. Problem is they forgot to provide the jobs first

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

i would hate to be one of these sacked soldiers cameron is getting rid of and be under 25 .Imagine coming home from serving your country just to face been homeless.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

How disgraceful, after 60 years on this Earth, you're telling me I have to earn my right to be here?

Why didn't someone tell me earlier?

I wasted my time in ignorance bringing up a family!

None of whom, nor myself, have a criminal record. So is that why I am being made to struggle?

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

The problem there Less is with doing such a good job you don't need the help of bleeding heart liberal do gooders. Actually while call me Dave was at it and wanted to save a few bob why didn't he look at cold weather payments for people with bulging bank accounts, can't tell me Maggy Thatcher needs £250 a year cold weather payments, nor do people who no longer live in this country, just wondering why the last government didn't twig that one;)

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

If you're not some Tory ponce with a bank account full of backhanders then you're spot on

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Sorry Dave thats a long time since, its more than Tories with bank accounts full of backhanders mate, believe me:rolleyes:

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Lets take a reality check and look at a couple of examples from people I know who currently receive hb.
Family 1, family of 2 parents, with 4 kids, he works, she doesn't. He will not work any overtime what so ever because if he does he will loose some of his benefits. He earns a basic salary of 16,000, with the tax credits he takes home more than his supervisor who earns 21,000 per year.
his supervisor pays a mortgage, pays all his council tax, family 1 get a free house and a huge reduction in council tax.
supervisor is worse off by approx £100 per week after you take all of the benefits into account.
Supervisor cant afford to smoke, family man smokes and drinks, happy benefit society
Now im not saying all claimants are in this position but I am saying this, does the above sound fair to you ?

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Fair or not, its sod all to do wi the position Less is in. or the reason.:rolleyes:

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

brick up the bedroom

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

The one Less sleeps in?..:D

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Not quite a free house is it, the supervisor will own his house eventually, the other one won't.

There probably is no fair system, but every time a new system is introduced by this government, it never seems to affect those well off... ie all the pals that pee in the same pot :rolleyes:

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

I wonder what the cost of deciding who should get the payments would be compared to how much they would save?

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

There are criteria in force for receiving other benefits, (which I think this threads about anyway) why not include this within the same parameters. Maggy Thatcher ain't eligible for housing benefit nor should she be eligible for winter fuel allowance either

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Not a free house but free accommodation.
The supervisor has to maintain his house as well which can be very expensive when you start to need a new central heating boiler, kitchen and bathroom replacement etc

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

I worked for 35 years at DWP.
Administration of means tests is expensive, and when comparatively low payouts (child benefit, winter fuel) are involved, the savings from identifying the people who won't qualify, are cancelled out by the cost of means testing them.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

For heavens sake we have things like computers these days, I actually think people should have to apply for cold weather payments, with the parameters set out, I can't actually see a millionaire or somebody on a very high pension income (and their are a lot of those) actually applying for this benefit knowing they aint a snowballs chance of getting it, or why would they want to, maybe if this was more fairer those in genuine need might even get a bit more

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Being such a young fella I don't know how you go about getting this payment, as an old codger please could you explain it to me? :rolleyes:

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

So instead of the computer automatically adding winter fuel payments to accounts according to the age of the person in the database, you intend to employ people to examine applications and input data.

There will be additional costs of detecting fraud of the people who lied on their application.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Its a novel way off throwing taxpayers money away, to people who don't need it, it appears you have to jump through hoops to get most benefits, except cold weather payments, and lets not forget the £25 add ons every time the temp hits freezing for 7 consecutive days

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

You just get it Neil, irrespective of your need, and you watch it with the old codger jibe there's a lot of use about these days mate:uzi::uzi:

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

That '£25 add on' is automatically computer generated to those people who have already been means tested (those on Pension Credit only)

Employing people is what causes high admin costs.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Sorry Margaret your right, I know Joan doesn't get it

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Former PMs claiming over £100,000 a year EACH to maintain luxury lifestyles | Mail Online
Well it seems I was wrong when I said the likes of Maggy Thatcher wouldn't claim the heating allowances if they had to apply, is there nothing these politicians and former politicians won't do to take the tax payer for a ride:mad::mad::mad::mad:

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Yep got my new dentures - good recommendation by you there Accyman best to stick to someone your friend uses!

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

I doubt very much he is getting a free house, with his earnings he will get some help towards his rent but it wont all be paid

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

It was just on the news, in London homeless under 25 has doubled from 300 people to 600 in the last year! Is this linked to Tory policy?:alright:

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

yep and its only the start

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Housing benefit used to pay me £480 for my 2 bed.

They now pay £302 :/

Do the math, it's absolutely ridiculous!

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Thats rather imposible if you think about it;)

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

no just more imigration

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

housing benefit have never paid me a penny, I am lucky you may say because I have a job and yes I probably am. If your disabled or over retirement age then I think housing should be free, if you are cabable of working then get on your bike as an old tory mp once said and get a job

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

I tell you what, we'll swop shall we? I'll have your job, you can struggle on benefits for a few months, maybe that will knock the arrogant attitude to those not working out of you.
:mad:

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Less you may have hit on a solution to the problem there. Let those in work swop with an unemployed person for a while so they really get a feel for what it's like and the person without a job gets some respite from their situation.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

I wonder if Duggie was referring to the people for whom unemployment is a lifestyle choice and have never worked and have no intentions of doing so, rather than people who have lost their job and are desperate for work?

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

No, Duggie was lumping all together, if we could be reached in one easy sweep he would crush all people claiming just as he would crush a bug, after all he is superior, he's never been in a position to need to claim, (far above the mortal).

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Doubt it, some people class all unemployed as layabouts and scroungers without considering they might be there themselves one day.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Well he sure gives that impression to me.:rolleyes:

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

You're very impressionable though cashy:rolleyes:

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

as more jump on camerons bandwaggon of all people out of work been scum more find themsleves out of a job each day and having a dramatic change of opinion when it happens to them ;)

ps:

if you do currently have a job and a nice TV be sure to get rid of it if you become unlemployed because apparently you havnt to have nice things when unemployed even if you did work hard to buy them when you had a job

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Um funny that seeing unemployment as just dropped for the forth month on the trot accyman:rolleyes:

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

need to make their minds up because last weeK on the radio it said unemployment for under 25's was up and so was the amount of school leavers not getting a job.

Lets face it every party that has been in power has fudged figures to make things look beter than what they are.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

last wee on the radio? - do you still get good reception?

When I tried to do that as a quote it came up with a capital K on the end of the offending word - what if I had been trying to talk about something very small?

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

im english i would have said tiny :D

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

To set the record straight I am self employed which means I find my own work by whatever means I have at my disposal.
Nobody pays me a wage, nobody pays me to go on holiday for 5 weeks a year and nobody gives me any money to help pay my household bills. If I don't get of my backside and find work I dont eat, simple.
some weeks I earn jack poo, other weeks are good but at least you have a regualr amount of free money ever week. try paying a bill when you cant claim any benefits because you are self employed.
For those who cant find a job then perhaps you should try working for yourself but then again you probably wouldn't like having to work about 80 hours per week, working week ends,working till 9 at night, doing all your accounts, chasing money owed, the work goes on and on.
Best to just sit at home and whinge eh.
Just think that my hard work and my taxes keep you in cigarettes and the odd beer or two.
There are two types of people in this world, the haves and the have nots, We can then divide these groups into probably another 50 groups but generally the group that I am offended by are the ones who can work but choose not to, these people should be targetted and helped into work but to do that the country will need to make it a little less comfortable for them. end of rant and goodnight

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

I have no free money, I worked and paid into the system for over 40 years I have been employed and an employer in the past, unlike you though I don't blame the unemployed for the situation they are in, they aren't the parasites you imagine them to be, you however are proving yourself to be exactly the sort of person that would have anyone less fortunate than yourself starve, you think it's all they deserve.
Not a very nice man at all.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Why is it impossible? It said it on the BBC news mate so it's gotta be right! :rolleyes:

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

It's ridiculous if you've got no way to make up the shortfall - is that £480 per month?

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Most people are offended by those who can work n choose not to.:rolleyes: A thing yeh never stated in yer first arrogant post. You sir are full of bullshine, saying some weeks yeh earn jack poo, but at least yeh have a regular amount of free money every week, Well yeh must be a magician, cos "HOW" when yeh earn nowt? So what yeh got yer own business? its no big deal, but you seem to think it makes yeh superior, well tell yeh what, i wouldn't employ a man like you to creosote a hen coit.:rolleyes:

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Who's this addressed to?

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Difficult if yeh aint following the thread,i know.:rolleyes: post 88.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

I figured it was to that guy, but what happened to quoting? :rolleyes:

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

It isn't compulsory, some of us can work it out for ourselves.

By the way, the above quote is what I just answered I wouldn't want anyone to be confused.
:D

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Oh i must apologise, I had wrongly assumed,even our half wits would be able to follow,providing they had read the thread.:rolleyes:

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

I do all that because I can't find an alternative job :rolleyes: Having a business is not all it's cracked up to be, and it's certainly not as black and white that if you have a business you're rich. We could claim more if we gave it up.

Which do you think is better though, the ones who can't be bothered to work and play the system or the ones who are loaded and avoid the system, therefore robbing the country of taxes your average Joe pays day in day out.

This country would probably be better off if they chased the taxes avoided than the the taxes they pay out to those who can't be bothered.

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Well there's no getting away from it it fell for the last four months accyman think it was 68,000 last month, its not the government who compile the figures its the office of national statistics

Re: Changes To Housing Benefits
 

Well know it didn't it said on the BBC that unemployment had fallen for the last 4 months;)