ESA, Sickness and Lodger

Greyblanket

Good Morning

New to this site but hopeful that someone may be able to assist me with my query.

I have a long-term medical condition which has placed me in the Support Group of ESA. I currently live alone in a two-bedroom Council flat. I receive housing benefit and full council tax benefit. I do have to pay the bedroom tax as I am under-occupied now the children have moved out.

My illness is deteriorating to the point where I really need to have someone in the flat with me overnight. Part of my illness causes me to have blackouts and these are becoming very prominent in the night if I wake up. I am also tube feed which means I am reliant on a machine 20 hours a day which brings with it its own difficulties.

I am seriously considering taking in a full-time lodger to overcome some of these problems. I have a friend who works full-time who is currently looking for accommodation and I am wondering whether to approach them with this idea. However, before I go down this path, I was wondering how having a lodger would affect all my benefits? I realise I would lose my single-person discount on the Council Tax but assume I would no longer have to pay the bedroom tax if that room is occupied?

I am very confused by the whole thing and really looking for some expert advice. I am trying to weigh up the benefit of having someone in the house overnight if I need it with a loss in benefit.

Many thanks.

pmlindyloo

Greyblanket wrote: »

Good Morning

New to this site but hopeful that someone may be able to assist me with my query.

I have a long-term medical condition which has placed me in the Support Group of ESA. I currently live alone in a two-bedroom Council flat. I receive housing benefit and full council tax benefit. I do have to pay the bedroom tax as I am under-occupied now the children have moved out.

My illness is deteriorating to the point where I really need to have someone in the flat with me overnight. Part of my illness causes me to have blackouts and these are becoming very prominent in the night if I wake up. I am also tube feed which means I am reliant on a machine 20 hours a day which brings with it its own difficulties.

I am seriously considering taking in a full-time lodger to overcome some of these problems. I have a friend who works full-time who is currently looking for accommodation and I am wondering whether to approach them with this idea. However, before I go down this path, I was wondering how having a lodger would affect all my benefits? I realise I would lose my single-person discount on the Council Tax but assume I would no longer have to pay the bedroom tax if that room is occupied?

I am very confused by the whole thing and really looking for some expert advice. I am trying to weigh up the benefit of having someone in the house overnight if I need it with a loss in benefit.

Many thanks.

Having a lodger/boarder would mean that you would be eligible for the two bed rate of housing benefit so no more bedroom tax.

However, the income from your boarder (providing meals means less deductions) would be deducted from any means tested benefits.

This is where it is a bit complicated if your ESA is contribution based. If this is the case then you would need to ask an advisor as to how it would affect you.

If your ESA is income based then there is £20 a week disregard and then they deduct 50% of the remaining rent. So if your boarder paid £100 a week they would deduct £40 from your income based ESA (£100 - £20 = £80 so then half of the £80 = £40)

Plus you would lose your single person's discount from the council tax.

Are you receiving DLA or PIP - which rates?

The reason I ask is because if you are receiving DLA/PIP at certain rates or if you have evidence that you need an overnight carer (eg doctor's letter) then you could have a bedroom for an overnight carer and be entitled to the 2 bed rate of HB (your overnight carer must be resident in their own home) and then not have to pay the 'bedroom tax'. The carer would have to stay overnight on a regular basis.

My own thought is that having a boarder/lodger who works full time may not be the best solution. Overnight care from them may not be possible.

Of course I do not know the extent of the care needed.

It might be sensible to ask for an adult assessment from social services to see what they suggest as regards meeting your needs.