Housing benefit for BTEC and Foundation 16-18

A place to talk about full time schools and post 16 training.

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Cosmicdancer
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Re: Housing benefit for BTEC and Foundation 16-18

Post by Cosmicdancer »

Yes that’s what we were told. I wonder if we can appeal as you were eligible under housing benefit before UC.
Robin64
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Re: Housing benefit for BTEC and Foundation 16-18

Post by Robin64 »

lyndahill wrote:Update for Universal Credit - not eligible as under 18 years of age and with Parental Support. This is for Thurrock Council. Quite gutted as to find a further £490.00 per month for accommodation costs plus extra to send DD is going to put us under a lot of strain. i guess the Government expects us parents to get in to debt!!
Sorry to hear that, yes it looks to be true that any place with Universal Credit has indeed put a stop to housing benefit. It's a crying shame. It really did help us last year. You could write to your MP to complain and to Education Minister - there has been a spotlight in the news lately on arts education funding.
Trundlemum
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Re: Housing benefit for BTEC and Foundation 16-18

Post by Trundlemum »

My son (aged 16) has just been awarded housing benefit from Guildford Borough Council. £80.77 per week. We applied for it four weeks ago , sent supporting documents two weeks ago and first payment has just come through.
Cosmicdancer
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Re: Housing benefit for BTEC and Foundation 16-18

Post by Cosmicdancer »

Aww congratulations. I assume Guildford not on universal credit. We can’t get past the first hurdle as the universal credit door slammed shut for us to claim.
lyndahill
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Re: Housing benefit for BTEC and Foundation 16-18

Post by lyndahill »

Congratulations. Universal Credit obviously hasn't been rolled in yet within Guidford Borough Council - £80 a week would make a huge difference for us but not eligible within Thurrock Council. However if we as a family were in receipt of any benefits, our DD would be entitled - but we're not. Will have to remain broke for a few more years. ;)
Robin64
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Re: Housing benefit for BTEC and Foundation 16-18

Post by Robin64 »

Trundlemum wrote:My son (aged 16) has just been awarded housing benefit from Guildford Borough Council. £80.77 per week. We applied for it four weeks ago , sent supporting documents two weeks ago and first payment has just come through.
Wow! That is brilliant and lightening fast!! wonder if they are pushing them through before UC rolls out? But fab news.
Robin64
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Re: Housing benefit for BTEC and Foundation 16-18

Post by Robin64 »

I looked up Guildford a while ago and yes it was an Oct 18 rollout same as Greenwich and Bexley so any Bird foundation students - LAST CALL for HB ACT FAST!
lyndahill wrote:Congratulations. Universal Credit obviously hasn't been rolled in yet within Guidford Borough Council - £80 a week would make a huge difference for us but not eligible within Thurrock Council. However if we as a family were in receipt of any benefits, our DD would be entitled - but we're not. Will have to remain broke for a few more years. ;)
Such a shame and so annoying to miss out like that! There are so many people hit by the new UC rules. It is so under the radar.
Livvyvicky
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Re: Housing benefit for BTEC and Foundation 16-18

Post by Livvyvicky »

We have received our first payment - North Herts - EDA. Hope everyone else gets sorted :D
sailorgirluae
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Re: Housing benefit for BTEC and Foundation 16-18

Post by sailorgirluae »

Re Guildford housing benefit - did they communicate via email or post. My DS application as been in for about 3 weeks now but he has not heard anything.
Cosmicdancer
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Re: Housing benefit for BTEC and Foundation 16-18

Post by Cosmicdancer »

Can they work and claim? Is there a limit on how much they can earn? Finally if they come every weekend can they claim?
Robin64
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Re: Housing benefit for BTEC and Foundation 16-18

Post by Robin64 »

Cosmicdancer wrote:Can they work and claim? Is there a limit on how much they can earn? Finally if they come every weekend can they claim?
I don't think you need to say what they do at weekends. The rent covers all week I assume or all month if it's monthly rent. As for work. Yes there is a limit. Off the top of my head I think it's 16 hours? Then they start deducting from the Hb. You can probably check the hours limit from last years housing benefit thread as it was discussed.
amo185
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Re: Housing benefit for BTEC and Foundation 16-18

Post by amo185 »

Is there a certain distance your home address needs to be away from your college? On paper it looks as though dd should be able to get to her first choice (Emildale) if she were successful, but in reality a proposed replacement bus service for several years will make the journey nearly impossible - or a possible two hour journey. She's asking now about staying with a family during the week and coming home weekends. I'm assuming there must be some criteria. Does anyone know? (All hypothetical at this stage!)
Bean
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Re: Housing benefit for BTEC and Foundation 16-18

Post by Bean »

sailorgirluae wrote:Re Guildford housing benefit - did they communicate via email or post. My DS application as been in for about 3 weeks now but he has not heard anything.
Chase them by phone....my DD’s letters went missing on the way to Uni. We got her to tell them they were allowed to talk to me so I could deal with it all. We have called several times and have just been sent an award letter. They’ve been very helpful and I feel have pushed it thro before the UC rollout. Super quick and efficient. Just hope nothing goes wrong after the UC rollout.
Bean
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Re: Housing benefit for BTEC and Foundation 16-18

Post by Bean »

Robin64 wrote:
Cosmicdancer wrote:Can they work and claim? Is there a limit on how much they can earn? Finally if they come every weekend can they claim?
I don't think you need to say what they do at weekends. The rent covers all week I assume or all month if it's monthly rent. As for work. Yes there is a limit. Off the top of my head I think it's 16 hours? Then they start deducting from the Hb. You can probably check the hours limit from last years housing benefit thread as it was discussed.
You don’t need to say they come home....just don’t mention it. I think it’s 8 hours work or about £57 a week. Over that they start deducting from the benefit which makes it not worth working.
lotsolaffs
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Re: Housing benefit for BTEC and Foundation 16-18

Post by lotsolaffs »

It is £57 per week.
Your DC will be asked how rent is topped up and what they live on at a much later stage.
All of this information comes through as the claim progresses, you think you have answered everything you need to and then there is a request for something else.
Make a copy of the claim form, collect all you need in advance and be ready to send in at the earliest opportunity.
You will need
Bank statements most recent 2/3 months I think.
Wage slips if any 3 most recent. However if working give it up,not worth the hassle.
ID
Letter of proof of study from the college
Tenancy agreement - or a letter detailing terms of rental.
Good luck to any claiming,no idea what will happen when UC comes into force.
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