Housing Benefit guide Discussion Area

KylieGirl

Hi there, so glad to have found this forum. I live in a Housing Association property with my husband. I am long term disabled and he is my full time carer.

We have a 2 bedroom property, but my husband sleeps in the second bedroom as i have bad nights where i am tossing and turning and need the full bed just to turn over.

I am so worried about these changes - even if we pay the extra rent that will be required, is there a chance we could be asked to downsize further down the line? So scared we could lose the home we love

Any help so appreciated xxx

Jimmy_Neutron

My mum has just contacted me to say that someone has visited her to say she will have to start paying £19pw to carry on living in her home. The person said as the house is a three bedroomed house, and they are a couple, they have two bedrooms spare and should now pay for that privilege - is this correct?

A bit of background info.
My mum and dad have lived in the same council house/local authority house since about 1975. They are now pensioners. I am one of four kids, we all left home years ago. My mum is disabled with arthritis, because of this she stays in the second double room (my dad has the first).
She and my dad look after her grandchild while my brother is working. No doubt when she is older she will sleep over, just like my son has and my nephews and niece.

miduck

Jimmy_Neutron wrote: »

My mum has just contacted me to say that someone has visited her to say she will have to start paying £19pw to carry on living in her home. The person said as the house is a three bedroomed house, and they are a couple, they have two bedrooms spare and should now pay for that privilege - is this correct?

A bit of background info.
My mum and dad have lived in the same council house/local authority house since about 1975. They are now pensioners. I am one of four kids, we all left home years ago. My mum is disabled with arthritis, because of this she stays in the second double room (my dad has the first).
She and my dad look after her grandchild while my brother is working. No doubt when she is older she will sleep over, just like my son has and my nephews and niece.

You say they are pensioners - are they both of Pension Credit age?

Jimmy_Neutron

Yes, they both claim pension credit.

My mum claims DLA - Middle rate mobility and low rate care.

miduck

Jimmy_Neutron wrote: »

Yes, they both claim pension credit.

My mum claims DLA - Middle rate mobility and low rate care.

But are they both of Pension Credit age? At present, if one qualifies they can make a joint claim. When UC is introduced this will not be the case. How old are they?

Jimmy_Neutron

My mum has just turned 61 and my dad is 62. My mum claims for my dad.
Would they have to pay £19pw because of this bedroom tax?

miduck

Jimmy_Neutron wrote: »

My mum has just turned 61 and my dad is 62. My mum claims for my dad.
Would they have to pay £19pw because of this bedroom tax?

How recently has she turned 61 - have they only recently qualified?

If they are in receipt of PC, then the bedroom tax will not apply to them. However, if they are then transferred to UC, which they may be as your father is still of working age, they will be liable for the bedroom tax.

Jimmy_Neutron

I do not know nothing about benefits. I will have to see her face to face for me to find out what she claims for.

I know my mum has bad arthritis and claims dla for it.
My dad has angina. I don't know if he receives anything for that, but I know he does not work.

miduck

Jimmy_Neutron wrote: »

I do not know nothing about benefits. I will have to see her face to face for me to find out what she claims for.

I know my mum has bad arthritis and claims dla for it.
My dad has angina. I don't know if he receives anything for that, but I know he does not work.

It does sound like you need more information. Her eligibility for PC will depend on when she turned 61, some born in 1951 do qualify and some do not. She can ask the Housing Officer how her age affects whether she should pay the bedroom tax or not. In the meantime, there is nothing to stop them moving to another property - a couple do not need a three bedroom house.

debrag

a friend went to their HA open day / meeting today to hear about the cuts in HB, they were basically told to either claim DLA (probably to cover the extra) or have more kids! They were also told it doesn't affect pensioners.