DLA effect on housing benefit?

citygirl2010

Hi, i currently recieve maximum housing as i claim ESA, will an award of disability living allowance reduce my housing benefit or will it stay the same?

Jowo_2

I can't answer your specific question but you should be able to model any impact by putting this into the Entitled to (turn2us) online benefit calculator.

GARDINER

My understanding is that although you have to declare the DLA to the Council it is ignored for HB/LHA purposes and although it seems Local Authorities can use their discretion when it comes to ignoring War Pensions/Forces Disablement Pensions there is no such discretion in respect of DLA.

McKneff

It is also my understanding that DLA is disregarded for any means tested benefits.

Indie_Kid

As the others have said, it's ignored as income. However, the law says that anyone on DLA needs to live on more than someone not claiming DLA. So you'll get a premium within housing benefit - so, if you pay some money towards your rent now, you'll either pay less or nothing now that you receive DLA.

citygirl2010

Thanks very much to the above posters for their help.

Robbie64

In addition, if you live alone and receive DLA care component at the middle or higher rate you may be entitled to a higher amount of ESA. You need to be claiming income related ESA and there has to be no-one claiming Carer's Allowance for looking after you. If you are under 25 you may also be entitled to more help with your rent if your maximum HB is currently limited to the single room rent rate.