Housing Benefit Changes means underoccupation??

justlooking2012

lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »

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

Not so much a gamble as an inheritance for my children, BUT

If circumstances changed and I had to downsize then that is life is it not? or maybe I could claim a benefit so my sons can have a room each

zzzLazyDaisy

justlooking2012 wrote: »

Not so much a gamble as an inheritance for my children, BUT

If circumstances changed and I had to downsize then that is life is it not? or maybe I could claim a benefit so my sons can have a room each

If your sons have chronic long term illnesses, or disabilities, giving rise to extra care and/or mobility needs, then yes, you could "claim a benefit".

If they don't have such health problems, then no you can't "claim a benefit".

You could count yourself lucky that you have healthy children, though, who don't have special needs or long term care needs, over and above what is normal for a child of that age. Unlike OP's children.

Mara69

lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »

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.

*Sigh* Yes, I know that. Surely it is worth enquiring, or should the OP not bother because they *might* not.

lighting_up_the_chalice

Mara69 wrote: »

*Sigh* Yes, I know that. Surely it is worth enquiring, or should the OP not bother because they *might* not.

Of course it's worth enquiring. I certainly wasn't trying to discourage anyone. But I would equally hate to give the impression that social housing tenants, struggling to find a property to downsize too, then struggling again to afford to physically move, all get to access a huge pot of secret cash that no-one else does. It would raise unrealistic expectations for social housing tenants and give a factually inaccurate impression to those who already think that SH tenants get the world on a stick when they sign the tenancy.

Kimberley

I think this bedroom tax is a right move. It will stop people whos children have left home to still occupy a large council home. I know this because my mum lives alone in a 3 bedroom house which as kids me and my 3 siblings all occupied. She doesn't need this house now and because off her health she finds it hard to keep it clean now. She is hoping the council will offer her a 1 bedroom bungalow because she won't be able to do stairs soon.

chelle_bell

This is effecting me too.

I live in a 3 bedroom private let, me, baby boy (1) girl (8) I get a small amount of housing benefit because i'm employed. I only get housing benefit for 2 bedrooms yet, i'm still getting this "tax" how can they give me HB for 2 bedrooms then tax me on having 3. Raging isn't the word.

justlooking2012

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

If your sons have chronic long term illnesses, or disabilities, giving rise to extra care and/or mobility needs, then yes, you could "claim a benefit".

If they don't have such health problems, then no you can't "claim a benefit".

You could count yourself lucky that you have healthy children, though, who don't have special needs or long term care needs, over and above what is normal for a child of that age. Unlike OP's children.

Fair comment

lighting_up_the_chalice

chelle_bell wrote: »

This is effecting me too.

I live in a 3 bedroom private let, me, baby boy (1) girl (8) I get a small amount of housing benefit because i'm employed. I only get housing benefit for 2 bedrooms yet, i'm still getting this "tax" how can they give me HB for 2 bedrooms then tax me on having 3. Raging isn't the word.

If you rent privately, you claim LHA, not HB, so the bedroom tax won't effect you and you can stop raging.

bestpud

chelle_bell wrote: »

This is effecting me too.

I live in a 3 bedroom private let, me, baby boy (1) girl (8) I get a small amount of housing benefit because i'm employed. I only get housing benefit for 2 bedrooms yet, i'm still getting this "tax" how can they give me HB for 2 bedrooms then tax me on having 3. Raging isn't the word.

It's only for social housing so it won't affect you if you are in a private let.

thegirlintheattic

Go into a private let if you can afford to.