My Cuz

LandyAndy

Maybe the OP habitually refers to this person as 'my Cuz' and so thought nothing of using that in their post.

My cousin always refers to me as Cuz.

In any case the OP's meaning was entirely clear.

Werdnal

LandyAndy wrote: »

Maybe the OP habitually refers to this person as 'my Cuz' and so thought nothing of using that in their post.

My cousin always refers to me as Cuz.

In any case the OP's meaning was entirely clear.

I agree - Cuz is a dialect phrase, and a familiar term in some families. Not necessarily text speak.

lelasuzi

Thank you for taking time out to reply. Her fybromyalgia is not expected to get any better. She has also had two brain aneurisms and is at risk of another. The council have been aware for years about the converted bedrooms. They did get permission for this on the understanding it was put right should she ever move out. Obviously she would move if she had to. She does have two daughters and a son who quite often stay in the spare room to help her when she has flare ups. Oh, and round here Cuz is quite acceptable and was around long before text speak. Thank you again.

BigAunty

She has a secure tenancy and doesn't need to accept the council's suggestion.

However, in April next year, those of working age in receipt of housing benefit with unoccupied bedrooms will face a reduction in their HB. The cut will be a fixed percentage of the Housing Benefit eligible rent. The Government has said that this will be set at 14% for one extra bedroom and 25% for two or more extra bedrooms.

A disabled tenant who needs a non resident overnight carer will be allowed an extra bedroom for the purposes of HB. If she receives HB, does she qualify for an extra bedroom? Does someone receive carers allowance and what level of DLA does she receive? The people on the benefits board will be able to advise the exact criteria for qualifying for a second bedroom for HB purposes, I think they have to either require an overnight non-resident carer or be considered severely disabled.

I wonder whether the council have started to identify who wants to move to a less under occupied property ahead of future HB cuts.

lighting_up_the_chalice

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

I think your relative is over-reacting. It's my understanding that Local Authorities often come up with these proposals but they are offers only. Some might even be prepared to throw in an inducement to make their proposal more attractive but I've never heard of anyone being forced to move to a smaller property if they are unwilling

She isn't saying anything about being "forced" to move, just that she may have to pay for a property larger than her immediate needs require.

BitterAndTwisted

In which case the answer will probably be "yes" eventually. They haven't actually brought in this alleged "bedroom tax" yet, have they?

Still, someone who is bed-bound and in need of a stair-lift might be getting some benefits like DLA, I dunno

lighting_up_the_chalice

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

In which case the answer will probably be "yes" eventually. They haven't actually brought in this alleged "bedroom tax" yet, have they?

Still, someone who is bed-bound and in need of a stair-lift might be getting some benefits like DLA, I dunno

Very true. And they may even qualify for a 2 bed if they have a carer stay overnight. The "bedroom tax" deductions for 1 bedroom under-occupation (the converted property would still be regarded as a 3 bed) are pretty modest at about £10-£15 a week.

Tiddlywinks

... but does the council know that the 3 bed they rented to the OP's cousin is now a 2 bed because of the knock through? If not (and it was done without permission) then will they must still be charging rent as a 3 bed so the difference in future benefits (if the new rules come in) may be quite a lot.

lighting_up_the_chalice

It will still be considered as a 3 bed for the purpose of the "bedroom tax", but the OP's cuz may well qualify for a 2 bed if they have an overnight carer, so may be just the 1 bed under-occupied. She can then decide to either cough up or down-size.

BigAunty

lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »

.. The "bedroom tax" deductions for 1 bedroom under-occupation (the converted property would still be regarded as a 3 bed) are pretty modest at about £10-£15 a week.

I believe the deduction from HB is 14% for 1 unoccupied bedroom and 25% for two. This will not feel modest to anyone on subsistence benefits who perhaps might have to find an extra £50 to £100 per month to plug this HB shortfall.