Pensioner claiming full housing benifit

erinshauna

I would appreciate some advice. 2 brothers I am friends with have lived together for 40 years,they have both always worked but rented privately,6 years ago one of the brothers retired and claimed housing benefit for his half of the rent while the other brother continued working until May of last year when he also retired and he too then claimed housing benefit.Sadly one of the brothers has become extremely Ill and is in hospital and will be transferred to a care home very soon. Will the other brother be now able to claim full housing benefit or will he have to move as it is a 2 bedroom flat and even though it is private would he be deemed as over occupied or would he have to use much of his pension to cover rent. The only money he has now is his pension. Thank you in advance for any replies.:)

Dunroamin

He will now be eligible for the 1 bed LHA rate and, if his rent is higher than this he'll need to top it up out of his other income or find somewhere cheaper. If the only income he has is the SRP, he should claim Pension Credit.

xylophone

He will now be eligible for the 1 bed LHA rate and, if his rent is higher than this he'll need to top it up out of his other income or find somewhere cheaper. If the only income he has is the SRP, he should claim Pension Credit.

Does this apply to someone over state pension credit age (currently 61)?

The OP's friend should check his personal situation with his local council.
He should also check whether he is eligible for pension credit.
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/money-matters/claiming-benefits/pension-credit/

Dunroamin

xylophone wrote: »

Does this apply to someone over state pension credit age (currently 61)?

]

Yes. It's only in social housing that the rules are relaxed for pensioners.

erinshauna

Thank you very much for the age uk link,it is very helpful!