help working out HB/Bedroom tax shortfall please

nannytone_2

beecher2 wrote: »

Trust the Record to try to take the credit! The bedroom tax is mitigated by the Scottish government at the moment through Discretionary Housing Payments, but it does still exist.

it exists, but no one has to pay because of the benefit reduction

Ygritte

£582.80 for sure. No savings. Obviously the amount in my account fluctuates as money comes in and goes out but no savings left at the end of the month.
No service charge and I'm in Essex/East London.


I was awarded contribution based ESA, they said that would be till my contributions ran out. I don't know if that happened but I know I'm in the support group.

Ygritte

lazer wrote: »

I get £230.65 so we boh agree thats its short.

Are you entitled to 100% housing benefit (Ignoring to benefit reduction for extra room - Ie any other income etc that could affect housing benefit?)

Check your award letter for details.

Should be 100% but I'm doubting myself now! Will dig out the paperwork, I just find their breakdown so baffling.

PasturesNew

How old are you? Are you getting a shared house rate?

Ygritte

I'm 37 and live alone.


OK, I dug out the HB award letter.


Weekly benefit award £113.16
Gross rent £131.58


My weekly income
PIP daily standard £54.45 (disregarded)
ESA support component £36.20
Contributory ESA £73.10


Total income £109.30


Applicable Amounts
Enhanced Disability(single) £15.75
Severe Disability premium (single) £61.85
ESA Support Component £36.20
Single Claimant between 25 and pension £73.10


Total Applicable amount £186.90


I find this so hard to understand

beecher2

That's just saying that your income is less than what the government believe you need to live on and so you get the full council tax reduction.

http://www.eden.gov.uk/benefits-and-tax/benefits/council-tax-benefit/council-tax-benefit-how-it-is-calculated-and-paid/

explains

Your gross rent should be £134.47 I think (582.70 x 12 /52) and you should get £115.64 a week

nannytone_2

if you live alone and have no other income apart from the PIP and cons based ESA, you will be entitled to the severe disability premium ( income related ESA top up) as long as no one claims carers allowance for looking after you.
based on the amounts given by the council, your calendar monthly rent would be £570.18 ( £131.58 x 52 divided by 12 = £570.16) which is less than you say your actual rent is. ( £582.70 )
seeing as you are being underpaid around £3 a week, it would appear that this is what the issue is.
HA's usually charge 4 weekly rather than monthly and your council may be assessing you on a 4 weekly rent rather than a monthly one.

Ygritte

Thank you. What do you think is the best way of correcting this?

nannytone_2

you need to talk to the council. i would suggest that its better to do this in person, than over the phone.
take your tenancy agreement showing the amount of your rent.
be sure that it is monthly rather than 4 weekly or you could end up looking silly
if it is monthly, then show them the calculation. ( rent x 12 divided bt 52 giving the weekly amount due)
remember to deduct the 14% for the reduction due to under occupancy. ask them how they arrived at the figure they are paying in housing benefit.

as for the severe disability premium.... phone ESA and tell them you want to claim the severe disability premium due to your PIP award ( as ling as you live alone and no one is claiming carers allowance for looking after you)

Ygritte

nannytone wrote: »

as for the severe disability premium.... phone ESA and tell them you want to claim the severe disability premium due to your PIP award ( as ling as you live alone and no one is claiming carers allowance for looking after you)

The letter lists it as an applicable amount - does that mean I get it already? Sorry, don't mean to be dim!