At the risk of becoming something of a regular on here-its so well run and fascinating it runs the risk of becoming habit forming-can I draw on your services once more regarding a major point that I remain unclear about? Its ESA s (& to a lesser extent JSA on which you do not advise)figuring so large in association with related benefits-like HB? Well you have already advised that you sensibly cannot predict whether a "zero income"claim would be a success eg.for HB but LAs just seem "reluctant" or extremely unwilling to consider these "weird income claims"that do not involve ESA type official Benefits with confirmed & officially stated income amounts. They tend to drop them like a red hot brick the mome nt eg Sanctioning notices are received. Apart from Zero Income of which you are uncertain what if say a Claimant rolled up with £15999 of savings to live off for the next three years & submitted a Claim but NOT for ESA eg for HB? Would this be "passable"do you think-what rules say income "has got to be"ESA to obtain HB?
You do not need to be in receipt of ESA or JSA in order to make a zero income claim for Housing Benefit, in principle having £15,999 should not be a reason to deny HB, but you should expect some concern to be raised if you put this figure down on your LA's application form, if accepted I would expect there to be deduction for any assets or capital that you might have and you may need to detail your financial status on a regular basis (perhaps monthly), also, you may need to detail your expenditure.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
