Avoid the Benefit Cap – Ask me anything

Avoid the Benefit Cap – Ask me anything

10:02 AM, 22nd April 2014, About 10 years ago 13

Text Size

My name is Robert Mellors and this article was prompted by me watching the TV programmes about the Benefit Cap, and “How to Get a Council House” last week.

It occurred to me that from my years of experience in working in local government housing departments, and in various advice bureaus, including being a caseworker specialising in debt, benefits, and housing, that I could advise people how to prevent the Benefit Cap from applying to them.

It’s not difficult, you just need to know how to do it, and be willing to make those few simple changes, so if this affects your tenants then you may wish to ask me a question below (or your tenants may wish to).

The Benefit Cap affects families with a larger than average benefit income, most usually due to the number of children in the household. It does not just affect people in London, but the more expensive the property prices then the more significant the Benefit Cap will be.

There are several ways to avoid the Benefit Cap, including making changes to the household or obtaining employment. I can advise on strategies for changing the household composition in some cases, so that everyone is still housed but it is considered differently and thus the Benefit Cap does not apply. I can also advise on strategies for self-employment that would meet the criteria so that the Benefit Cap will not apply. These methods are completely legal, and will benefit the claimant by preventing rent arrears and homelessness.

It would also benefit landlords by avoiding rent arrears and the need to evict welfare benefit claimants. It also benefits the taxpayer (society as a whole), as dealing with homeless households cost the taxpayer far more than preventing their homelessness, and it can also help people make a legitimate living from self-employment long term so that they eventually contribute taxes to society rather than stay on welfare benefits.

Getting the right advice, and taking a few very simple steps to change things, can make a massive difference to people’s lives.100xrobert mellors


Share This Article


Comments

MoodyMolls

6:46 AM, 5th May 2015, About 9 years ago

Hi Robert

Many thanks for clearing this up, I think your right in what I was thinking.

Eddie King

10:38 AM, 10th April 2017, About 7 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Robert Mellors" at "22/04/2014 - 22:06":

Hi Robert.

can you possibly email me any information you have that I can pass on to families facing difficulty paying their rent due to the governments ridiculous benefit cap. I too looked at self employment as an option but would like further information on any other methods that can legally be applied such as re-structuring family (give me examples of this strategy please). I will be looking at maximising benefits etc to remove Cap entirely, identifying family members who may have a disability that the head of the family has not made known to the authorities, either them or any of their children, dependants.

Robert M

20:11 PM, 10th April 2017, About 7 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Eddie King" at "10/04/2017 - 10:38":

Hi Eddie

Can you email me directly please, my email address is robert.mellors@hotmail.co.uk. There are many things that families can do to avoid the Benefit Cap, if they are willing to do so. You have downloaded some information from one of my websites about one possibility, but there are others as well. Email me and I will share further information with you.

Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Tax Planning Book Now