Housing Benefit - 31 years old

PTurner_2

Hi all,

My daughter currently receives full Housing Benefit. She is disabled and receives High rate DLA care, Low rate DLA mobility. She lives by herself in a studio (with a kitchenette). She is not on LHA but on the thing that came before it. However, she is 31 years old.

I can't seem to find out how the changes will affect her. I understand that as she is only 31, she is no longer entitled to live by herself? She has Asperger's syndrome and living with another person has proved impossible. Does this mean she will receive nothing at all unless she moves to a flatshare?

Many thanks!!

Jowo_2

Here are a list of the proposed changes. The move to a shared rate for those who are single and without dependents, increasing it from the age of 25 to 35, takes place in April 2012.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/paying_for_a_home/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/future_changes_to_local_housing_allowance

The severely disabled are entitled to the one bedroom rate (in the future, two, if they have a carer that stays over). I forget the definition of 'severely disabled' but other MSE members will know.

I don't know if the changes apply to your daughter or not (others will know) but those who remain in their accommodation will be switched as some point to the lower shared accommodation rate (it won't stop completely) and be expected to pay the difference between their LHA rate and the rent due.

My info is based on LHA - another member may be able to tell you how this affects those on HB that never switched to LHA.

dmg24

Jowo wrote: »

Here are a list of the proposed changes. The move to a shared rate for those who are single and without dependents, increasing it from the age of 25 to 35, takes place in April 2012.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/paying_for_a_home/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/future_changes_to_local_housing_allowance

The severely disabled are entitled to the one bedroom rate (in the future, two, if they have a carer that stays over). I forget the definition of 'severely disabled' but other MSE members will know.

Assuming they are not changing the definition also, it is those who qualify for DLA MRC or HRC.

pandaspot

The two bedroom rate for a carer start April 2011

fluffymovie

LHA has rents set at 50% of the rents in the area in any given month. The data used to calculate rents is the same data whether on LHA or not.

The changes will affect everyone on HB I'm afraid.

PTurner_2

Thanks for the helpful feedback. So if what I understand is correct, it would appear that as of April 2012, she will lose her 1-bed (studio) allowance and be dropped onto the shared room rate UNLESS she qualifies as whatever 'severely disabled' may come to mean at that time. Assuming she is forced onto the shared room rate, will she only be able to receive that allowance if she moves into a shared flat, or will she still receive it living in her studio?

Many thanks!

dmg24

PTurner wrote: »

Thanks for the helpful feedback. So if what I understand is correct, it would appear that as of April 2012, she will lose her 1-bed (studio) allowance and be dropped onto the shared room rate UNLESS she qualifies as whatever 'severely disabled' may come to mean at that time. Assuming she is forced onto the shared room rate, will she only be able to receive that allowance if she moves into a shared flat, or will she still receive it living in her studio?

Many thanks!

She can continue to live wherever she wishes to. She could also apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment if the LHA is not enough to cover her rent, but whether she will receive one or not is anybody's guess.

I would hope that they do not take away the one bed rate for the disabled, but I wouldn't put anything past this govt.