Bedroom Tax?

kingfisherblue

Sheila, I'm sure that I read somewhere that an additional bedroom is allowed for a carer to stay in. I didn't read it fully, as I don't rent, but you might want to do a search on the forums.

You could also ask the Down's Syndrome Association or Mencap if they have any knowledge of this. If you have a carer's centre in your area, they may have a benefits adviser who can help as well.

I realise that your brother is in a 3 bedroom, and the carer thing would only allow a two bedroom, but presumably it would be a lower difference to pay.

sheilavw

Thanks Kingfisherblue, yes we are allowed 1 extra room, he will have just approx £12 a week to pay from next year. Worth it not to have the change, he has enough to cope with at the moment, he misses his Mum so much. He is 45 and she is 85. I left home 28 years ago when I married, there has just been them two together, holidays, shopping trips, nights out, it is so hard for him on top of everything else. It isnt possible to share a room with him, he has sleep apnea.

kingfisherblue

I can understand your brother missing your mum - I have a son with Down's syndrome and have worries for the future. He's only 14, so I have a few years to sort things out, but it is still a concern.

Your brother is lucky to have a family who are willing to help him out.

Cate1976

I've just googled Bedroom tax to find out more and got to this article:

http://www.housing.org.uk/policy/welfare_reform/bedroom_tax.aspx

Click on FAQ's on the left side of the page and you get to this:

http://www.housing.org.uk/policy/welfare_reform/faqs.aspx

Hope it helps some people.

It looks as though the answer is no, but will the bedroom tax apply to those renting privately?

Constant_Gardener

For private tenants, the Local Housing Allowance rules already effectively tax "spare" bedrooms by reducing maximum HB payments depending on your household's circumstances, by setting 'room rates'.
Adviceguide:
Important changes were made to Housing Benefit on 1 April 2011
If you rent from a private landlord and you are already claiming Housing Benefit, the changes are likely to affect you at some time during the 21 months after 1 April 2011.
To find out more information, go to the Directgov website at www.direct.gov.uk.
In England, a leaflet explaining the changes in English and other languages is available on the National Homelessness Advice Service (NHAS) website at www.nhas.org.uk.
If you rent from a private landlord and need to make a new claim for Housing Benefit, the new rules will apply to you straightaway.
Further changes for single people aged 25 to 34 from 1 January 2012
If you are single, aged 25-34, have no children living with you and rent from a private landlord, you may get less Housing Benefit on or after 1 January 2012. For more information about these changes, go the Department for Work and Pensions website at www.dwp.gov.uk.

It is quite complicated and depends where you live.
Further details here:
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/housing_benefit/local_housing_allowance

londonbabe73

Not to be rude but could not you and your sister pay the shortfall between you ?

Or downsize the animals and then she would able to afford the rent ......