Does getting a lodger affect IB?

MimiJane

A friend of mine is on incapacity benefit and has been for some time. She has asked me if I know if getting a lodger in to help with her financial situation would affect her benefit in any way and if she would have to declare it with it being an income. I've no idea ... can anyone advise please.

Also, would there be any ceiling on this type of income for someone on IB?

Many thanks.

healy

As this is not Income from a Pension or any kind of work then as Incapacity Benefit is not means tested I dont think having a lodger would be a problem.

seven-day-weekend

AFAIK it would not affect IB - so long as you are not working, or keeping within the Permitted Work rules, the only thing that affects it is an Occupational Pension.

Having a lodger may however affect Council Tax Benefit/Housing Benefit if she claims these.

cautiousmarthar

IB is not means tested, so as long as your friend is still unable to work, the IB Benefit itself should not be affected (but if this is topped up by Income Support, the IS amount would be affected). To expand on others.... if she gets a 25% reduction for single occupancy on CTax, that would be removed if she gained a lodger; if she is getting help with her rent/mortgage the money she receives would reflect amount due, minus lodgers payments before they applied any benefit entitlement...Hope that helps :-)

Morty_007

Is there no advice available from the DSS? She could ask them maybe?

real1314

They'd tell her if she rang them.

Anyway, it doesn't affect IB, but a couple of points of warning, some people think they're on IB but are on IS (on the grounds of being incapable) and they may be getting HB and/or CTB. IS, HB and CTB can all be ffect by having a lodger.