+1 in the household, effect on LHA band

overloaded75

xylophone wrote: »

The cousin sounds vulnerable - should social services be involved?

Truth be told he doesn't have anybody else to go to, and his English is so bad. He doesn't have close friends who can help him, and I am his only family here in the UK. But I am not going to kick him out on the street of course if he has nowhere to go.

In what way could social services help?

Housing_Benefit_Officer

1) A lodger doesn't increase the LHA as they aren't part of the claimants household.

2) A non dep will increase the LHA band.

3) He won't get HB for sleeping in the kitchen.

overloaded75

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

1) A lodger doesn't increase the LHA as they aren't part of the claimants household.

2) A non dep will increase the LHA band.

3) He won't get HB for sleeping in the kitchen.

Thank you this concise reply; it clarifies a few things. I think. Double checking:
1) Fine, I never really meant for him to have to pay me rent as long as I can somehow get an increase in the LHA.
2) That will be enough for me.
3) You mean as a non-dependent, I will get an increase in the LHA (regardless of where he sleeps). BUT he will not be able to get another claim for HB in, or to claim the housing portion of Universal Credit (which sounds completely undestandable/fair).

Questions:
a) Will he be able to claim Universal Credit WITHOUT the housing portion?
b) Is HIS Universal Credit application a pre-condition to me getting the LHA increase?
c) Would anything be detracted from my housing benefit?

Considering he's just turning 23, and as per [I can't post the link, but you can google the below within quotes] (again, not 100% on authoritativeness of the source, but it seems meaningful):
"Aged under 25 and on Universal Credit and not in remunerative work" -> 0 deduction

Therefore I am going to try and answer my own questions, please feel free to correct me:
a) Yes. He has to, as he doesn't pay and rent
b) No.
c) No, but he needs to have a Universal Credit claim in place and accepted otherwise deductions will apply.

Thank you again....

Darksparkle

Surely if you live in a 2 bedroom house you only get the 2 bedroom rate even if actually entitled to 3 bedrooms?

allison445

As a non dependent there would be a weekly deduction from your LHA would just depend if the LHA weekly increase is more than any non dependent deduction.
This would depend on the deduction amount for his circumstances and the 3 bedroom LHA rate.

allison445

Darksparkle wrote: »

Surely if you live in a 2 bedroom house you only get the 2 bedroom rate even if actually entitled to 3 bedrooms?

This is only true for housing benefit LHA rules are different if you eligible for a 3 bedroom rate and you live in an expensive 2 bedroom you would receive the 3 bedroom rate.

overloaded75

allison445 wrote: »

As a non dependent there would be a weekly deduction from your LHA would just depend if the LHA weekly increase is more than any non dependent deduction.
This would depend on the deduction amount for his circumstances and the 3 bedroom LHA rate.

I have edited my reply above. My expectation is that there should be no deduction.

allison445

Unsure about the rules for universal credit but as he worked he may get contribution based benefits the under 25 rule is only for income based benefits.

xylophone

In what way could social services help?

Does he have any mental health problems or is he not fully capable of managing his own affairs?

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Darksparkle wrote: »

Surely if you live in a 2 bedroom house you only get the 2 bedroom rate even if actually entitled to 3 bedrooms?

One of the quirks of HB and LHA rates. Your HB will increase depending on the LHA rate so in this case a 3 bedroom LHA rate for a 2 bedroom property.