[Universal Credit and "houseboat"!]

Oh blimey; it's dark in here intit?Some of this is irrelevant to your question but I'm putting it out there as it will inform discussions going forward (for that read I should have read all your post first and I'm too lazy to edit).First thing to say is that we may need your postcode to determine whether you are compelled to claim UC; unless you've already completed the online claim form in which case welcome to the World of Pain (oh... you have; sorry). We also need to know whether you've got a home mooring.Deviating from the definition of "Houseboat" in the '71 British Waterways Act a narrowboat is a houseboat for the purposes of UC/Housing Benefit. Don't be surprised if the Work Coach you see at your interview has a problem with that.If you've not got a mooring then you are homeless for the pursposes of Section 136 of the Housing Act '96 and if you aren't in a "full service" area then you will be excluded from claiming. If you've got a mooring and satisfy the gateway conditions (as long as your arm) and are NOT in a full service area you will need to claim UC. Sadly I see that you have a mooring so it's looking increasingly likely that you'll be one of the first boating UC claimants (I know of one other). In a full service area everyone has to claim UCDo bear in mind that with UC you will not see a payment for the first 6 or 7 weeks of your claim. If you get a new job before week 5 you will not be entitled to any benefit.Your licence, insurance and BSC (spread over 4 years) should be aggregated into the total housing costs amount.UC is the shitstorm to end all shitstorms; it doesn't have any finished IT and there is a lot of ad hoc bullshit going on. You can find me at Benefits for Boaters (Liveaboards) where I am admin should you wish to discuss. I might not spot comments on here.

Hi thank you and the others for your replies. Here's an update:

 

I went to my Universal Credit interview yesterday, and as you stated, the interviewer (after getting advice from a superior) said that I cannot claim UC as you have to live in a residential address at the moment. So he stopped my UC claim, and started a JSA claim for me from the initial date.

 

I have since been to the Gloucester Council and have an application form for housing benefit, which I am about to fill in.

 

For the benefit of future searches on this subject, bear in mind that the fact of not being able to claim Universal Credit is correct now, but this is while they are rolling it out, and could change at any time.

[Liveable size boat]

I live on a 40 foot cruiser stern narrowboat. When I was looking 2 years ago I got lots of advice here and people were great, as they are being for you. My input:

 

Not all narrowboats under £20000 are collanders! I paid £15000 for mine, and my surveyor was very impressed by its condition and said as long as I look after her she will give me many years of happy boating.

 

I sometimes find it difficult living in such a small space. Take into account the probably 10 feet of outside space, that leaves only 30 feet to live in. I used to live in a large extended semi house, and have always been a hoarder, so constantly have to shuffle things around or get rid when I get too much!

 

At only 40 feet long, my boat has everything I need, just! On entering at the stern, down the steps the settee is right there. Then there's the stove, then kitchen (double base unit either side and cooker and that's it). Next is the loo and shower, with small hanging space and drawers, then the double bed, then you climb on the bed to get out the front doors, and that's it! I would guess anything smaller than my boat would lose something, be it a permanent bed, the hanging space and drawers, or having to have the toilet sat in the shower tray. I don't think I could cope with anything smaller than my boat.

 

Regarding not wanting anything too big for your being a bit wonky, I've found that the smaller the boat, the more it moves around, and GRP cruisers are very wobbly compared to narrowboats. I've worked in a dry dock since buying my boat, so I've been in loads of different boats, and for someone who is slightly unsteady, I'd say bigger is better.

 

Good luck, hope to see you pass by someday! X

Thank you Cuthound for that. I was just reminded that i would need gas for hot water. Hope to get lessons on making sure that i definitely do the gas barrels correctly

My water is heated by running the engine, my gas is purely for the cooker.

[Universal Credit and "houseboat"!]

Hi all

 

I've done a search and found info on benefits, but my search came up with results pre universal credit. So....

 

I became unemployed on Friday. It's been years since I claimed any benefits, and that was only for a short time.

 

I tried to claim JSA but apparently now it's Universal Credit for all single people. On the online form it has a section for claiming housing benefit for mooring and licence fees for a houseboat. Does the phrase houseboat include narrowboats? I've filled the form in as though it does, as we have those costs too. I have my interview tomorrow, so would like to be prepared if I need to fight my corner!

 

Has anyone here claimed housing benefit since universal credit came in? How did you get on?

 

 

Before anyone asks, I don't intend being out of work for long, as I reckon anyone who can(legally!) live on that amount of money must be a miracle worker!