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Is there any way a couple can get LHA for 2 bedrooms?
Comments
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I can certainly see that there is an obvious need for two bedrooms in these circumstances.
So - I also think its worth checking whether they could get public sector housing. Also - personally - I would check and see if there is any possibility of a doctors letter stating that 2 bedrooms are necessary for health reasons being beneficial (unless someone can actually produce an official DWP link stating that - even then - they wont pay out for it). Surely it must do SOME good if a doctor states its a necessity and lists the health effects on the partner of being made to share a bedroom in these circumstances.
It honestly wont make any difference they could have numerous doctors notes, they will not qualify for the two bed LHA rate. There is no provison in the HB regs to allow for this no matter how much there is a need for a second bedroom.
There is nothing stopping them from getting a two bed property though, they will just a have to make up any shortfall or possibly widen their search slightly in the areas they are looking at. Rents vary quite a bit in the area i work in thats just within a couple of miles.
They might have some luck with a DHP as fluffymovie states but i really wouldnt rely on this as it is only a short term award from a cash limited fund.
I do hope that they get something sorted out and i would definately advise them to get their name down with any housing associations in the area.:j0 -
I would also doubt that they'd have much chance of getting a 2 bed HA property as this would be taking it away from a family with children.
I have to say that it's quite normal to live in this situation if your partner has a chronic condition and most people just get on with it.0 -
I must admit, ONW, I was thinking the same myself, if they have a sofa bed what is the problem? It might be a bit of a 'fiddle' but that's not really a very good reason for the government to pay for another bedroom.(AKA HRH_MUngo)
Member #10 of £2 savers club
Imagine someone holding forth on biology whose only knowledge of the subject is the Book of British Birds, and you have a rough idea of what it feels like to read Richard Dawkins on theology: Terry Eagleton0 -
Oldernotwiser wrote: »I would also doubt that they'd have much chance of getting a 2 bed HA property as this would be taking it away from a family with children.
I have to say that it's quite normal to live in this situation if your partner has a chronic condition and most people just get on with it.
It may well happen frequently - but that does not make it "normal" or right - which is what seems to be being implied here. No wonder carers often get so worn down that their own health (and certainly - their morale) suffers if theres people telling them to "just get on with it" and implying that it is an acceptable situation to be in.
People in this situation deserve sympathy - and any practical help that can be given.0 -
seven-day-weekend wrote: »I must admit, ONW, I was thinking the same myself, if they have a sofa bed what is the problem? It might be a bit of a 'fiddle' but that's not really a very good reason for the government to pay for another bedroom.
The problem is - for those who apparently cant perceive it - that everyone is entitled to sleep in a proper bedroom on a proper bed.
The problem is that if one is having to cope with all the hassle involved in being a carer - then one does NOT need extra unnecessary hassle thrown in on top of it by Society.
The problem is that the carer might be a bit too frail themselves to be able to assemble/disassemble a sofabed every day.
The problem is that the carer is unable to just go and have a lie-down on their bed whenever they need to (as the rest of us can - and take for granted) because their "bed" would need assembling/disassembling all over again to do so.
The problem is that sofabeds arent as comfortable as proper beds.
The problem is that one cant just show visitors into the sitting room automatically whenever required - because the sofabed might be made up as a bed at that point.
The problem is in a small home - where does one store the bedding for the sofabed when not in use?
*****************************
Rant over - at these people who dont/wont understand the problem:mad:
I'm only too glad I'm not in that situation myself - I hear quite enough about it secondhand from someone who regularly gets their sleep disturbed because they continue to share a bed with an ill person. Well - that is their own personal choice to do so still - but at least I know they have other bedrooms available if they decide they simply MUST have a decent nights sleep. I havent managed to persuade them to move into one of those bedrooms yet - but I'm working on it...0 -
The problem is - for those who apparently cant perceive it - that everyone is entitled to sleep in a proper bedroom on a proper bed.
The problem is that if one is having to cope with all the hassle involved in being a carer - then one does NOT need extra unnecessary hassle thrown in on top of it by Society.
The problem is that the carer might be a bit too frail themselves to be able to assemble/disassemble a sofabed every day.
The problem is that the carer is unable to just go and have a lie-down on their bed whenever they need to (as the rest of us can - and take for granted) because their "bed" would need assembling/disassembling all over again to do so.
The problem is that sofabeds arent as comfortable as proper beds.
The problem is that one cant just show visitors into the sitting room automatically whenever required - because the sofabed might be made up as a bed at that point.
The problem is in a small home - where does one store the bedding for the sofabed when not in use?
*****************************
Rant over - at these people who dont/wont understand the problem:mad:
I'm only too glad I'm not in that situation myself - I hear quite enough about it secondhand from someone who regularly gets their sleep disturbed because they continue to share a bed with an ill person. Well - that is their own personal choice to do so still - but at least I know they have other bedrooms available if they decide they simply MUST have a decent nights sleep. I havent managed to persuade them to move into one of those bedrooms yet - but I'm working on it...
I don't think anyone disagrees with you Ceridwen, the question was about entitlement to another bedroom from the state, which clearly the answer is "no".
Feel free to keep on ranting though
Vader0 -
Please don't do it on here though, this is for giving help and advice, not ranting. If you want to rant feel free to start a thread on Discussion Time, and no doubt many of us will come and make some comments (and even maybe agree with youI don't think anyone disagrees with you Ceridwen, the question was about entitlement to another bedroom from the state, which clearly the answer is "no".
Feel free to keep on ranting though
Vader
).
Whilst I appreciate you are being sympathetic to the OP, sensible help is more use to them.
OP I am sorry to hear of this situation, but as other say the reality is that LHA will be for 1 bedroom only. In an ideal world it would perhaps not be, but lines always have to be drawn somewhere!
Hope they get something sorted!Ermutigung wirkt immer besser als Verurteilung.
Encouragement always works better than judgement.0 -
It may well happen frequently - but that does not make it "normal" or right - which is what seems to be being implied here. No wonder carers often get so worn down that their own health (and certainly - their morale) suffers if theres people telling them to "just get on with it" and implying that it is an acceptable situation to be in.
People in this situation deserve sympathy - and any practical help that can be given.
I have plenty of sympathy for the situation; it's one I live with much of the time, despite having a spare bedroom.
Personally, when my husband is having a bad time I would want to be close to him so that I can help and be there for emergencies, but perhaps that's just me!0 -
Yes ONW, we have lived like this too because of my Restless Legs Syndrome (also despite having a spare bedroom!).
I do have sympathy and ideally they should have another bedroom, but we have to remember that the money for this is coming from the public purse and that there are families with two children who could use a two-bedroom flat; the public coffers are not a bottomless pit nor is the supply of social housing endless. They already have enough room for a couple.
As others say, they can move in to a two-bed privately rented place and make up the difference in rent themselves.(AKA HRH_MUngo)
Member #10 of £2 savers club
Imagine someone holding forth on biology whose only knowledge of the subject is the Book of British Birds, and you have a rough idea of what it feels like to read Richard Dawkins on theology: Terry Eagleton0 -
The problem is - for those who apparently cant perceive it - that everyone is entitled to sleep in a proper bedroom on a proper bed.
The problem is that the carer is unable to just go and have a lie-down on their bed whenever they need to (as the rest of us can - and take for granted) because their "bed" would need assembling/disassembling all over again to do so.
The problem is that sofabeds arent as comfortable as proper beds.
The problem is that one cant just show visitors into the sitting room automatically whenever required - because the sofabed might be made up as a bed at that point.
The problem is in a small home - where does one store the bedding for the sofabed when not in use?
*****************************
Rant over - at these people who dont/wont understand the problem:mad:
I still don't really understand the problem.
Plenty of people live in studio flats. I used to and whilst it is less than ideal it is hardly a basic right to have a bedroom. (I used to store the bedding under the sofa bed).
I have a bedroom now, but sometimes when I am very ill I sleep on a duvet on the sitting room floor as this has various advantages (it is near the bathroom etc.).
If the sofa bed is a problem for them they could put a proper single bed in the sitting room (in my experience many students do this to save money in house shares. I have also known people who live in studios to do this, a single bed isn't really that different to a sofa.)0
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