Budget 2015: Housing benefit 'not out of choice'

Rachel Wood, 22, lives in Newport in a housing association one-bedroom property.

She has had health issues including mental health issues but is about to start a nursing course. She also played football for Wales in the homeless world cup last year.

Rachel's rent is paid for through housing benefit and she receives Employment and Support Allowance.

"It's nice to have my own space, I was always in hostels or B&Bs," she told BBC Wales economics correspondent Sarah Dickins.

Under the new arrangements announced in the Budget, new housing benefit claimants will have to be over 21. Rachel was younger than this when she first claimed so a new claimant in similar circumstances in future would not get it.

"It's not always a choice. If I could still be at the family home I probably would if things would work but it's not an option," she said.

She thinks she will be on housing benefit until she qualifies as a nurse.