What are the rules for LHA for live in carers.

dmg24

OK, this is certainly not a straightforward area.

Are you in private or social/ council housing?

Do you have a permanent carer, or a series of carers on a rota?

Do you currently receive the three bedroom rate, or the two bedroom rate with a Discretionary Housing Payment to increase your payment to the three bed rate?

The reason no one can give you a straight answer is because there is no set of rules relating to carers and LHA.

Amistoso_2

do some research yourself on the internet seing as you find it so hard to interact with people, try google, why anyone would want to help you now is beyond me, you seem like a sulky spoiled brat!!

daska

Thank you dmg24. If there are no rules then there are no rules, that's a fair enough answer. I guess I'll just have to hope that I don't make any decisions that turn out to be bad ones.

the answers are private, 2 bedrooms for family plus one for carer, no mention of 'discretionary' on the paperwork that I can find, one full time carer plus others on rota.

To everyone else: I have tried to research this using the internet, I've also contacted housing, DIAL, shelter, SS (again), and this was my last stop before giving up. To those that genuinely attempted to help a genuine thank you.

Indie_Kid

Have you contacted any careres charities/associations? Can't think of any off the top of my head, sorry.

dmg24

Strictly speaking, LHA does not give an extra room for rota carers (I assume your full time carer also has another residence). Therefore it would be more usual for you to receive the two bed rate plus a DHP. If you are getting the three bed rate without the need for a DHP, then I would try not to rock the boat too much.

Entitlement to other incapacity benefits does not automatically entitle you to a DHP, though they would be indicative of the need for a live in carer.

daska

My full time carer 'lives in'. The boat is going to be rocked over the next month or so and I am going to need to make decisions on who to employ and in exactly what capacity so, by the sound of it, the lack of rules could cause me serious financial problems if I 'guess' wrongly as to how housing will respond to the changes imposed on me and the solutions I choose.

Maybe my best bet is to push SS into talking with their colleagues in housing.

dmg24

You could talk to your LA directly? Best to get any answer in writing.

daska

This is where I came in... I've already tried talking to them, all they will tell me is to submit a change of circumstances when it happens... hence my trying to find out what rules they have to work to.