Housing Benefit Changes means underoccupation??

justlooking2012

Welcome to the real world, I would love to be able to buy a four bedroomed house but I currently only own a 3 bedroomed one. If my situation was to change I may have to sell up and downsize to a 2 bedroom and then my sons would have to share.

heartbreak_star

*LittleStar* wrote: »

I dont claim for him at present but tbh i didnt know if I can as he is currently not diagnosed with anything but has BIG problems Im having to pay for Nursey also as childcare vouchers dont cover it all but he was asked to leave the playgroup and he went the nursery over the summet and he came on leaps amd bounds :-) i had early years funding in term time and couldnt use it there otherwise i would of kept him there.

My budget is tight (as i know many others are) and all these extra costs are adding up :-( Do u have any advice about DLA in thoose circumstances and were i can get it i dont seem to be able to get much advice from social services as they are heard to get hold off visit infrequently and pas:Ts the book alot Thanks Princess and others :-)

You'll need to get him diagnosed for any associated payments I'm afraid!

HBS x

princessdon

*LittleStar* wrote: »

I dont claim for him at present but tbh i didnt know if I can as he is currently not diagnosed with anything but has BIG problems Im having to pay for Nursey also as childcare vouchers dont cover it all but he was asked to leave the playgroup and he went the nursery over the summet and he came on leaps amd bounds :-) i had early years funding in term time and couldnt use it there otherwise i would of kept him there.

My budget is tight (as i know many others are) and all these extra costs are adding up :-( Do u have any advice about DLA in thoose circumstances and were i can get it i dont seem to be able to get much advice from social services as they are heard to get hold off visit infrequently and pas:Ts the book alot Thanks Princess and others :-)

You don't need a diagnosis as its care not illness and at that age I'd not expect a diagnosis. Nursery social workers can all provide supportive statements along with medical professionals but you'd have to do the form yourself. You need to show why they have additional care needs over a child the same age.

I'd post on disability and dose board as they will give the best advice on success of a claim

lighting_up_the_chalice

DHP is almost always awarded as a short term stop-gap while a more permanent solution is accessed. As the name suggests, it is discretionary and the reason for an award as well as the length of any award (within reason) is decided by the local authority. However, the usual timescale is 6 months and the amount would be governed by affordability. Whilst the DHP budgets are being increased, the demand will almost certainly increase even faster, so I feel the awards will become more restricted over time. I cannot imagine for one moment that DHP would be paid for the next 5-6 years until your eldest is 16 (assuming that age limit doesn't change by then!!). But it may give you some short term breathing space to consider your options.

Longer term, you have 4 simple options:

1. Pay the modest shortfall. The reason your sons cannot share is due to the eldests skin condition. To help with the costs of this condition, he gets DLA. So using the DLA to cover the cost of the extra room seems to be exactly what it says on the tin.

2. Move to a smaller (2 bed) social housing property. Speak to your housing provider about this as they may well have measures in place to assist.

3. Find a 3 bed privately rented property within the 2 bed LHA rate. Good luck with this one. And if you do.... fit good locks!

4: Increase the household income to facilitate 1. Obviously, a lodger would defeat the point of the exercise, but the kids are of an age when you could easily consider a part time return to the workplace or even working from home.

Those are the long term choices. The "bedroom tax" is coming. There will be very few exemptions and even fewer dodges, so be prepared. On the plus side, it's a very modest sum when compared to what many in the private sector have to pay to top up their LHA, and they seem to manage OK.

lighting_up_the_chalice

justlooking2012 wrote: »

Welcome to the real world, I would love to be able to buy a four bedroomed house but I currently only own a 3 bedroomed one. If my situation was to change I may have to sell up and downsize to a 2 bedroom and then my sons would have to share.

So, if your circumstances changed, you would act to mitigate that change, which is what the OP is going to have to do. She is just seeking advice on how she may go about it. Does that make her any different to you?

Poppie68

To claim DLA for a 3 and a half year old you would have to provide proof he needs more care ie: washing, dressing, feeding and bodily functions than any other 'normal' child his age. You will need evidence from any healthcare professionals etc that you have sort help from and he would of had to have had these problems for a least 3 months and that they are ongoing.
You need to gather all medical letters etc and get help in completing the forms because they can be complicated.

justlooking2012

lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »

So, if your circumstances changed, you would act to mitigate that change, which is what the OP is going to have to do. She is just seeking advice on how she may go about it. Does that make her any different to you?

That is a good point and Yes I would act, entirely out of my own pocket

Mara69

Most councils and HA's offer cash incentives for downsizing as larger properties are in such demand. My HA was offering £600 per bedroom downsized. Some even offer help with moving costs. Might be worth enquiring.

lighting_up_the_chalice

Mara69 wrote: »

Most councils and HA's offer cash incentives for downsizing as larger properties are in such demand. My HA was offering £600 per bedroom downsized. Some even offer help with moving costs. Might be worth enquiring.

Some do. Most don't. And that will be even fewer now that this bedroom tax is coming in. However, many will offer a priority for under-occupation.

lighting_up_the_chalice

justlooking2012 wrote: »

That is a good point and Yes I would act, entirely out of my own pocket

Such is the gamble of home ownership. A gamble you took fully informed of the risks.