what bedroom entitlement am i?

joseph9a

I am just in the process of going through my housing benefit application, I am a bit confused when doing the calculator with turn to us, it says your bedroom entitlement is? now I live alone in a 3 bedroom house which is private rented. But I'm not sure if I'm entitled to the 1 bedroom rate or shared rate. Common sense would tell me the 1 bedroom rate. But it seems with benefits they try and over complicate things for you. The rate for shared bedroom is £55.55 a week and the 1 bedroom rate is £91.38 a week. So I want to make sure I am correct as it is a big difference.

Any help or advice would be appreciated


Thanks

McKneff

I think it also depends on your age.

pmlindyloo

The rules are:

Under 35 - shared room rate unless you are receiving mid rate DLA/daily living component of PIP.

Over 35 and single - one bed rate.

However, if you have been managing to pay your rent previously and you have not claimed HB in the last year then your present rate will be paid for 13 weeks. This is to give you a chance to downsize/get lodgers etc etc. It's called the 13 week protection rule. You have to bring it to your council's attention if you qualify.

joseph9a

Sorry I am under 35 and get DLA higher rate mobility, middle rate care. I have been managing to pay the rent as I was working full time but I am going part time now due to health reasons and will not be able to afford it.

joseph9a

Someone claims carers allowance also which I think affects what you are entitled to

pmlindyloo

joseph9a wrote: »

Sorry I am under 35 and get DLA higher rate mobility, middle rate care. I have been managing to pay the rent as I was working full time but I am going part time now due to health reasons and will not be able to afford it.

As you claim middle rate care of DLA then you will be entitled to the one bed rate of local housing allowance.

If you have paid your rent for the last year withouthaving to claim HB then you should ask for the 13 week protection. ie have your full rent paid for 13 weeks.

Someone claiming Carer's Allowance for you will have no effect on your HB.

Do you require a carer to stay overnight on a regular basis?

If you do then you may be entitled to the two bed rate.

joseph9a

pmlindyloo wrote: »

As you claim middle rate care of DLA then you will be entitled to the one bed rate of local housing allowance.

If you have paid your rent for the last year withouthaving to claim HB then you should ask for the 13 week protection. ie have your full rent paid for 13 weeks.

Someone claiming Carer's Allowance for you will have no effect on your HB.

Do you require a carer to stay overnight on a regular basis?

If you do then you may be entitled to the two bed rate.

I am not sure if I would be entitled to the 13 week protection rule as I have not lost my job I have just gone from full time to 22.5 hours, would be worth asking though in case you think i may be entitled. I do not require anyone to stay overnight no.

pmlindyloo

blondebubbles wrote: »

You may also want to look into working tax credits

Good idea. As long as you are over 25 you may be eligible for working tax credits.

fluffymovie

Pmlinyloo - if someone claims CA, then OP would not be entitled to SDP so not sure we could be able to grant 1 bed rate?

I would say it would be the shared room rate

Housing_Benefit_Officer

fluffymovie wrote: »

Pmlinyloo - if someone claims CA, then OP would not be entitled to SDP so not sure we could be able to grant 1 bed rate?

I would say it would be the shared room rate

Yep agree - lose the SDP and SRR then used in HB calculation.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

pmlindyloo wrote: »

As you claim middle rate care of DLA then you will be entitled to the one bed rate of local housing allowance.

If you have paid your rent for the last year withouthaving to claim HB then you should ask for the 13 week protection. ie have your full rent paid for 13 weeks.

Someone claiming Carer's Allowance for you will have no effect on your HB.

Do you require a carer to stay overnight on a regular basis?

If you do then you may be entitled to the two bed rate.

13 week protection will also depend if they could afford rent when first moved into property. If they claimed HB for 1 week when they moved in and then didn't claim at the address for the net 4 years they wouldn't get 13 week protection if they reclaimed as they couldn't afford the rent when they first moved in. However if they have never claimed HB at the property and not claimed in past 52 weeks then they would get 13 week protection.