Budget change to single room rate restrictions for under 35

pandaspot

Thought I would just give the heads up on the planned introduction of the single roommate for under 35's.

It's now intended to be implemented in January rather than April 2012. So all new tenancies for persons under 35 will only qualify for the shared room rate if claiming lha for private rented sector housing.

Yet to be confirmed whether the 9 month transitional protection scheme will apply to existing claimants between 25-34

This will mean a substantial number of single claimants between 25-34 will loose large amounts of benefit and need to find cheaper housing

I know this probably should be in discusion but thought it would be useful here too.

RazWaz

Does anyone know if this will apply to people on DLA? I'm 20 but get the 1 bed rate due to my DLA. If this applies to me too I'll be losing around £40 a week which I can't afford.

pandaspot

I don't think it will as your on the 1 bed rate now and under 25

Jowo_2

RazWaz wrote: »

Does anyone know if this will apply to people on DLA? I'm 20 but get the 1 bed rate due to my DLA. If this applies to me too I'll be losing around £40 a week which I can't afford.

I'm not aware that there are any changes to those classed as severely disabled who are entitled to have a 1 bedroom rate rather than a shared property.

Perhaps other members can clarify?

The budget that implemented this change also introduced a 2 bedroom rate for those with overnight carers.

What type of DLA do you receive and do you have a carer who stays nights?

Your local council may also be able to clarify and there's an MSE calculator here that may answer your question.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/housing-benefit

RazWaz

I'm on Middle Care and Low Mobility. No one gets carers allowance for me, although there is someone who stays once a week. Not expecting more though with it being once a week, what I get now covers most of the rent, it's just a £40 drop when I'm already topping up £10 a week would hit hard.

Macro_3

RazWaz wrote: »

I'm on Middle Care and Low Mobility. No one gets carers allowance for me, although there is someone who stays once a week. Not expecting more though with it being once a week, what I get now covers most of the rent, it's just a £40 drop when I'm already topping up £10 a week would hit hard.

The carer has to stay 'regularly' but there is nothing defining what regularly means - so it would be worth contacting your LA re the extra bedroom and seeing what happens. You do actually have to have the extra bedroom spare, though - you couldn't get the two bed rate living in a 1-bed flat.

RazWaz

I do live in a 2 bed flat, so I may well look into it if they drop my HB too much to try and cover the costs.