Just been awarded PIP and SDP on top of ESA, does it affect my housing benefit?

bumblebee15

Hello,

Just been through the bruising PIP assessment procedure and have been awarded standard daily living rate. I haven't had my letter yet but found out because the DWP who deal with my ESA sent me a text about benefits they may owe me so I was told verbally.

I have been claiming ESA for 2 years now and been on the Income Related ESA for 18 months. Because of my PIP award, I have been told that I am entitled to the Severe Disability Premium and that I should contact my local council.

I live in London in a shared house and my rent allowance for Housing Benefit is on £90 per week leaving me with a shortfall of £50 pw to find. I burnt through my savings paying this. The DWP lady also mentioned a Housing Benefit top up because of PIP and ESA SDP but I can't find any information online about it as I am on the so-called 'Legacy Benefits' and everything is geared towards UC.

Can anyone tell me what the premium is, how much it is and whether the Local Housing Allowance that I receive will increase? What else does a PIP award entitle one to?

Thank you

Alice_Holt

Severe Disability Premium is c.£66 pw
https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Severe-Disability-Premium/What-is-a-Severe-Disability-Premium
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/disability-premiums-in-benefits

Difficult to estimate what your Housing Benefit will increase by. But do let your council know, it may increase your LHA if you are currently on the shared room rate.
https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/benefits_for_under_35s_in_shared_housing
It will increase your Housing Benefit applicable amount:
https://england.shelter.org.uk/legal/benefits/housing_benefit/benefit_rates/benefit_rates_201920/applicable_amount_201920
https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/housing-benefit

It may be that your Council Tax reduction increases:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/before-claiming/extra-help-pip-entitles-you-to/

calcotti

As Alice says, if you are currently getting the shared room Local Housing Allowance rate for your Housing Benefit you should now be entitled to the one bedroom rate. You can check the rates here https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk

You should let your local authority know that you have been awarded PIP and when it starts from. Any increase in Housing Benefit should be backdated to the date your PIP award is from.