Quote:
Originally Posted by martyh
You do realise that rents in the private sector for the purposes of housing benefit are restricted to predetermined levels so it doesn't matter how much the landlord puts up the rent those on HB simply won't get the money to pay the rent
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That's correct. Even with the restrictions to what the regulations refer to as the 'Maximum Eligible Rent' (Not always the same as the actual rent paid) and the 'Benefits Cap' the Housing Benefit bill has ballooned; whilst at the same time many are forced to pay any shortfall from their wages, benefits etc that is meant for other day to day living expenses.
---------- Post added at 18:27 ---------- Previous post was at 18:21 ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gavin78
Lets start with a gov crackdown on people claiming with 20 kids. while these might be the minority them 20 or so kids will follow the parents lifestyle of a benefits culture have a load of kids of their own.
they will all no doubt want a house where does it stop
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I agree, this is just irresponsible to the point of immorality. There aren't as many families like this as the media would have us believe, but nevertheless, in my opinion, it is unacceptable behaviour. As an advisor (one of many) to the Government on their welfare reforms it was repeatedly suggested that limits were placed on the number of dependents that a claimant could be paid assistance for. Instead they chose to go for an overall benefits cap- if they tories win the next election it is widely speculated that benefits (including Child Benefit) will be restricted in addition to a lower Benefits Cap (which always affects any Housing Benefit in payment first).
---------- Post added at 19:14 ---------- Previous post was at 18:27 ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by nomadking
When did rent levels determine whether somebody is eligible for Housing Benefit? It is income and savings that determine it. 
It is cases like a couple coming over here from the Czech Republic with their TWENTY TWO children(some adult) and grandchildren and more kids born since then, living in various houses and with only ONE person working, that ups the number of people claiming HB. |
Rent levels are a crucial part of any Housing Benefit determination. No claim could be processed without it as it is essential.
What many EU migrants do to get round the legislation that prevents them from claiming Jobseekers Allowance (they can no longer claim it straight away as they are, quite rightly, expected to work for a living) is to claim in work benefits instead.
They will say that they are a "self employed scrap metal dealer" for 16 hours a week. It doesn't matter if they don't find or make any money from scrap metal, they are classed as working for 16 hours or more a week and can claim Child Benefit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credits- even if their children still live abroad.
Similar "jobs" are: selling the Big Issue, collecting used clothing to sell, being a professional ebay/Amazon seller etc. If they do actually make any money, as it's all done by cash, it is easy to massage the figures so that their means tested benefits aren't affected in any one benefit week.