LHA extra room rate

QuantumSuccess

I read yesterday that if you have a non-resident carer who helps you and you are claiming LHA for help with your private sector rent, you can actually claim for an extra room. If you are on DLA Middle or Higher Rate care you don't even need to send in a doctor's letter, you can just claim it automatically. Is anyone doing this?

saving_pennies

QuantumSuccess wrote: »

I read yesterday that if you have a non-resident carer who helps you and you are claiming LHA for help with your private sector rent, you can actually claim for an extra room. If you are on DLA Middle or Higher Rate care you don't even need to send in a doctor's letter, you can just claim it automatically. Is anyone doing this?

I'm not sure of the rules with LHA. Am I right in thinking LHA is a form of housing benefit?

I live in council property and receive housing benefit. To get HB to pay for a 2 bedroom place for a single person took months of sending letters and evidence from my doctor and other professionals.

I have read that if there is a need for a second room due to a carer than a single person is entitled to extra housing benefit to cover a second bedroom. I would think this is the case whether the person is in council housing or private sector. In my case HB accept that I don't need a carer to stay every night, but doctors/OT etc. had to give evidence that in the near future this will be more frequent and it would be in my best interest to get me set up in a flat suitable to meet my changing needs as they occurred).

RazWaz

It's a little different with LHA to HB, it's a new thing that only started a couple of weeks ago. As far as I know it's not automatic as you have to actually have the second bedroom (unlike the current disability rules where everyone automatically gets the one bed rate if you are under 25 and living alone).

I'd be interested to hear about what evidence is needed from someone who has managed to claim as I have a second bedroom already due to needing people to stay and keep an eye on me in the evenings sometimes (up to about 2am, and at that point they tend to end up sleeping in the spare room).

QuantumSuccess

I contacted the Council and they said that if you actually live in (or move to) a property containing an extra bedroom AND you are on Middle or Higher Rate DLA Care Component, you've automatically qualified for the higher rate. You only need doctor's letters if you're not on Higher or Middle Rate DLA Care.

dmg24

RazWaz wrote: »

It's a little different with LHA to HB, it's a new thing that only started a couple of weeks ago. As far as I know it's not automatic as you have to actually have the second bedroom (unlike the current disability rules where everyone automatically gets the one bed rate if you are under 25 and living alone).

I'd be interested to hear about what evidence is needed from someone who has managed to claim as I have a second bedroom already due to needing people to stay and keep an eye on me in the evenings sometimes (up to about 2am, and at that point they tend to end up sleeping in the spare room).

A carer staying over because they are needed during the evenings will not fulfil the overnight care requirement.

QuantumSuccess' information is correct regarding how to prove entitlement.

RazWaz

dmg24 wrote: »

A carer staying over because they are needed during the evenings will not fulfil the overnight care requirement.

QuantumSuccess' information is correct regarding how to prove entitlement.

Normally night is classed as after 11pm and the help I need tends to be up till 2am and sometimes later, would this count? Help is very rarely needed before 10pm.

Richie-from-the-Boro

RazWaz wrote: »

Normally night is classed as after 11pm and the help I need tends to be up till 2am and sometimes later, would this count? Help is very rarely needed before 10pm.

Does the carer [ regardless of the precise time you may need help ] stay overnight every night ?

RazWaz

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

Does the carer [ regardless of the precise time you may need help ] stay overnight every night ?

No, there is more than one person and they each stay on average 1 night a week. The room isn't in use every single night.

Careful_with_that_Axe

I was told by the council in an informal chat that they would only consider this if there was actually a Carer employed on a contractual basis. It would appear that in my LA just being in receipt of MRC/HRM would not constitute an entitlement to this.
I, too, would be interested to see how this pans out in terms of how it is being applied by different LA's.

Richie-from-the-Boro

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

Does the carer [ regardless of the precise time you may need help ] stay overnight every night ?

So you have a carer, non contracted and not a family member, who stays over only one night a week in a spare second bedroom you already have in your local authority house.

I'm a bit confused ref the ' sleepover ' funding / HB relationship available after April for an extra room for disabled people in receipt of housing benefit, I'll have a look at it later and get back to you.

The new 2011 rules are :

- the care provided by non-resident carer for claimant or their partner [ not other family member ] only 1 extra bedroom allowed.
- Must have established need for overnight care
- Must regularly stay overnight
- Care provided by someone outside of household
- Must have an extra bedroom for the Carer’s use
- Must either get Attendance Allowance or middle or higher rate care component of DLA or must provide sufficient evidence to confirm need for overnight care.

2011 Housing benefit maximum are :

• 1 bedroom property £250 a week
• 2 bedroom property £290 a week
• 3 bedroom property £340 a week
• 4 bedroom property £400 a week

dmg24

Careful_with_that_Axe wrote: »

I was told by the council in an informal chat that they would only consider this if there was actually a Carer employed on a contractual basis. It would appear that in my LA just being in receipt of MRC/HRM would not constitute an entitlement to this.
I, too, would be interested to see how this pans out in terms of how it is being applied by different LA's.

I'm sure I have seen official guidance that states MRC/ HRC would be sufficient evidence. Will see what I can find ...

RazWaz, you seem to be describing a mate staying over once a week. Do you have overnight needs, or does it just suit for them to stay because they're been there late? By overnight, do you wake during the night and need help to settle again, or do you need help with bathroom needs etc? You will not qualify just because you go to bed late.