Housing benefit when daughter goes to uni

dp1

Hi I know there's been threads about this before.... but still don't understand it. At the minute I work, get about half my rent paid in housing benefit and get tax credits for 2 children. My eldest DD has one more year at college and hopes to go to uni next September, living in halls.
I understand that , as far as housing benefit is concerned, she will then be a 'non-dependant.' Some info I've read seems to suggest that I will still get the LHA rate for a 3 bedroomed house for the first year she is at uni? Do I still get housing benefit for her in the holidays if she is living at home?

Before anyone tells me just to work more, well yes I do work and plan to get a second job, as obviously I will lose child tax credits for one child and one child benefit. Just wanting some advice, so I know what to expect.......

Edited to say....we rent privately, not social housing

Dunroamin

dp1 wrote: »

Hi I know there's been threads about this before.... but still don't understand it. At the minute I work, get about half my rent paid in housing benefit and get tax credits for 2 children. My eldest DD has one more year at college and hopes to go to uni next September, living in halls.
I understand that , as far as housing benefit is concerned, she will then be a 'non-dependant.' Some info I've read seems to suggest that I will still get the LHA rate for a 3 bedroomed house for the first year she is at uni? Do I still get housing benefit for her in the holidays if she is living at home?

Before anyone tells me just to work more, well yes I do work and plan to get a second job, as obviously I will lose child tax credits for one child and one child benefit. Just wanting some advice, so I know what to expect.......

But you'll lose the expense of feeding, clothing and entertaining the "child" as well.

cte1111

From http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/counciltaxhousingandbenefits/welfare2012reform/newunderoccupationrulesforhousingbenefit.htm#under-occupation-rule-university-keep-room-Anchor

My child is away at university, can I keep their room for when they are home in the holidays?

The new size limit rules do allow for this, the absence has to be temporary (less than thirteen weeks or 52 weeks for students) and the young person concerned has to intend to return home.

enabledebra

As above she can be counted as still living there when setting your HB/LHA bedroom rate if her absence is considered temporary (that depends on the facts in her case) and, if so, she is a non dependent but no deductions from your HB will be made as she is a full time student- with the exception of during the summer break if she's working.

Dunroamin

cte1111 wrote: »

From http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/counciltaxhousingandbenefits/welfare2012reform/newunderoccupationrulesforhousingbenefit.htm#under-occupation-rule-university-keep-room-Anchor

My child is away at university, can I keep their room for when they are home in the holidays?

The new size limit rules do allow for this, the absence has to be temporary (less than thirteen weeks or 52 weeks for students) and the young person concerned has to intend to return home.

That link refers to the "bedroom tax" in social housing, the OP rents in the private sector and claims LHA.

julie03

i am in the exact same situation, my council have told me that for the first year i will keep my LHA rate as halls are not open in the holidays. For any further years it will depend on the type of tenancy he gets. if he gets a full 12 month tenancy , my LHA rate will go down, but if he gets say a 9 month tenancy, that shows an intention to return.

pmlindyloo

julie03 wrote: »

i am in the exact same situation, my council have told me that for the first year i will keep my LHA rate as halls are not open in the holidays. For any further years it will depend on the type of tenancy he gets. if he gets a full 12 month tenancy , my LHA rate will go down, but if he gets say a 9 month tenancy, that shows an intention to return.

Very interesting

I have done a lot of research on this and my current understanding is that if the 'child' returns home within 52 weeks then a bedroom can be allocated.

However, different councils appear to be applying different 'rules'.

Having time to spare today I have written to my MP about this. Hopefully I will get a reply with some legislation/guidance/whatever. I will then report back.

If anyone else wants to write to their MP they can do so here:

http://www.writetothem.com/


Hopefully we can at least give people the correct information (we hope!). Councils seem to be making up their own rules about this - doesn't seem fair at all.

dp1

Thanks everyone....it does seem to be quite confusing and dependant upon where you live.
I'll write to my MP too....once before I got in touch with him and found him really helpful.