ESA & Housing Benefit Confusion

shell1965

Hi, I will try to keep it brief but I just wondered if anyone could confirm if housing benefit have calculated our housing cost help, hubby is on ESA Support Group, Main Phase, but his daughter who lives with us, had a serous spinal operation in November, she is 20 and before the operation she had been on I.S Jobseekers but moved onto Income based ESA.
She was called for a medical and 2 weeks later she was awarded ESA Work Group & her money was increased with a back payment of arrears, she receives £102 wk.
Today we have had a letter saying she has to contribute £13.70 for housing benefit, the reason I ask if this is right is because I believed if you are on Income based benefits there were no reductions in HB?

Thanks in advance.

DomRavioli

As she isn't on the tenancy agreement (I'm guessing) therefore not a tenant but a non-dependent, then the HB will have an non-dependent charge on which would be the £13.70 a week, which would be correct.

I'd advise calling your local authority for specific information, but it seems right to me.

shell1965

I was wondering, simply because when she was on Income related jobseekers there was no charge.

Caz3121

looks like it - here is an example http://www.york.gov.uk/info/200642/welfare_benefit_changes/990/changes_to_non-dependant_and_fuel_deductions_201415

shell1965

Thanks for that