Can a disabled adult living in same household as parents claim housing benefit?

arrazello

Thanks fluffymovie - So I need to look at our applicable amounts and remove any that relate to my son too in order to try and determine what we might be entitled to after he reaches 'adulthood' Oh gawd.

I tried the calculator, tried to just put in the details of my son, living with parents and receiving high components of DLA and no other income and it returned an amount of 71.95.

I thought it was tough going already, this is devastating. Can anybody possibly think that the cost of supporting a severely disabled adult is any less than a child?

BigAunty

He cannot claim HB in his own right because he has no liability to pay rent, that's a fundamental principle for entitlement - it goes to the actual tenants.

If you were to try and create a liability (by issuing him with a lodgers agreement, for example), it's also invalid as the HB rules say that tenants/lodgers who live in the same property as their landlord to whom they are closely related cannot get HB.

In fact, as a previous poster has pointed out, the actual tenant (for example the parents of a now non-dependent) can sometimes face a decline in their HB and council tax discount, though there are lots of exemptions which have been outlined.

cattermole

arrazello wrote: »

Thanks.
The person who came out to talk me through the changes involved in the adult transition said that he'd try to access some advice on benefit help for us but we might not fall into their remit yet because my son is not yet 18. When he is 18, their service can provide advice.

I'll try the calculator.

And I was unaware of premiums. I thought it was 106.50. This is less than I currently receive for tax credits, which also have premiums for severely disabled children.

They should have started the transition process before now, is he in a special school? Usually they go on until the end of the year in which they are 19 i.e. a year longer they do in our area. Although Adult Social Services would still kick in at 18 for say respite or help with care.

Fluffy's advice re DHP it is definitely worth applying for.

BigAunty

arrazello wrote: »

I thought it was tough going already, this is devastating. Can anybody possibly think that the cost of supporting a severely disabled adult is any less than a child?

So you've lost child benefit, child tax credits, (any change to your HB?council tax) but gained ESA? What's the actual loss per week compared with before?

Does your partner work shifts or regular day time hours? If the latter, is there any chance you could work a few nights as you can earn up to £100 after tax and still retain your Carers Allowance.

cattermole

I got the £106 figure can't see how you would have got 71.95 unless you put his actual date of birth? You would need to adjust his date of birth as though he was already 18. But I think Indie's figure is right. Assuming HRC and HRM.

arrazello

cattermole wrote: »

I got the £106 figure can't see how you would have got 71.95 unless you put his actual date of birth? You would need to adjust his date of birth as though he was already 18. But I think Indie's figure is right. Assuming HRC and HRM.

That's what I did. I'm an idiot!

cattermole

The other problem you will have is the delays in ESA awards which are considerable you could be on the basic assessment rate for a long time.

I don't know if anyone else can offer any advice on how this could be managed.

Indie_Kid

cattermole wrote: »

I got the £106 figure can't see how you would have got 71.95 unless you put his actual date of birth? You would need to adjust his date of birth as though he was already 18. But I think Indie's figure is right. Assuming HRC and HRM.

I think £71.95 is ESA assessment phase plus enhance disability premium?

arrazello

cattermole wrote: »

They should have started the transition process before now, is he in a special school? Usually they go on until the end of the year in which they are 19 i.e. a year longer they do in our area. Although Adult Social Services would still kick in at 18 for say respite or help with care.

Fluffy's advice re DHP it is definitely worth applying for.

Yes, special school with two to one care.
And the meeting was about changes in respite care but also discussed was potential changes in help available financially. Although the SW could not advise because it is not his field, just make me aware.

I know we should be OK until the school year he is 19 but one thing I have learned over the years, is time goes quickly. We need to know how we will cope and not have it hanging over our heads - I get up in the morning and worry, I go to bed worrying, the less big those worries are - then the better off I'll be.

cattermole

I think £71.95 includes the premium in assessment phase because without disability and 18 you would only get £58 or what ever it is?

But not 100% sure.