universal credit and students

qsblues

under housing benefit ,students were allowed a room and parents not charged bedroom tax if they spent at least 2 weeks at home out of 52
however under universal credit it says student must be at home 26 weeks of the year
how would this work seeing as university terms total 30 weeks
anyone help ?

rogerblack

As a starting point - I'm going to go with 'it won't work'.
If the information is as presented above - it's quite plausible that the government will require 26 weeks. A question would be for example would popping back for 14 weekends count as 4 extra weeks?

However - my understanding was that the 'bedroom tax' is applied by local councils at the moment - for those getting Local Housing Allowance - those in council properties.

This will not be brought into universal credit in the planned reforms.

BigAunty

Is this a change that means HB claimants can only get HB for that room when their child attends Uni in the locality? Most students attend Uni away from their home town, perhaps the Govt think there is a saving to be made this way, that the public purse should not be subsidising a room that is left unoccupied half the time because the students principle residence is actually where they study? Don't know, just speculating.

jacques_chirac

rogerblack wrote: »

As a starting point - I'm going to go with 'it won't work'.
If the information is as presented above - it's quite plausible that the government will require 26 weeks. A question would be for example would popping back for 14 weekends count as 4 extra weeks?

However - my understanding was that the 'bedroom tax' is applied by local councils at the moment - for those getting Local Housing Allowance - those in council properties.

This will not be brought into universal credit in the planned reforms.

This has already come into effect for those on UC.

The bedroom tax has nothing to do with LHA - that is for people in private rentals.

I have read through the relevant sections in the ADM and would agree with the OP, there is no room allocated for those studying away from home for more than 26 weeks. Given how stringent the provisions are, I cannot see the clock resetting due to a weekend visit - they will still be resident elsewhere, and you would not claim for a change in circumstances for any other weekend visitor.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/246162/Chapter_F3_-_Housing_Costs_Element_-_Support_for_renters.pdf

qsblues

BigAunty wrote: »

Is this a change that means HB claimants can only get HB for that room when their child attends Uni in the locality? Most students attend Uni away from their home town, perhaps the Govt think there is a saving to be made this way, that the public purse should not be subsidising a room that is left unoccupied half the time because the students principle residence is actually where they study? Don't know, just speculating.

yes that's the one,so basically you cant have a room for your child,if they go away to uni ?
crazy isn't it

qsblues

Jacques chirac

just read your reply,but cant find on what page it mentions students,can you help me out

thank you

marliepanda

qsblues wrote: »

yes that's the one,so basically you cant have a room for your child,if they go away to uni ?
crazy isn't it

Of course you can have it!

You just have to pay for it yourself? Why should benefits pay for a room empty over half the year?

qsblues

marliepanda wrote: »

Of course you can have it!

You just have to pay for it yourself? Why should benefits pay for a room empty over half the year?

thanks for that compassionate reply

jacques_chirac

qsblues wrote: »

Jacques chirac

just read your reply,but cant find on what page it mentions students,can you help me out

thank you

It doesn't specify anything about students, so it can be assumed they are treated the same as any other non dependant. Are you subject to UC now?

qsblues

im about to make a claim for housing benefit,but not sure whether it will be under universal credit or not,as its a change of circumstances
or whether uc is being rolled out in my area

jacques_chirac

qsblues wrote: »

im about to make a claim for housing benefit,but not sure whether it will be under universal credit or not,as its a change of circumstances
or whether uc is being rolled out in my area

At present I believe it is only the following JCPs that are taking UC claims:

Hammersmith
Rugby
Inverness
Harrogate
Bath
Shotton