Claiming UC and lodger

KarenB021

I'll try to keep this query short but succinct. I have had severe mental health and anxiety problems for two years now, exasperated by losing my job. The latter event knocked me for 6 and I tried to take my own life in 2019 as couldn't find another job but in fairness I don't think I was in any fit state. I have applied for PiP but heard nothing. I have savings so have been able to manage but not for much longer. The main query is I was divorced some 25 years ago and we had a child who is now 36 but we all remained a close family once the dust settled. Since the attempt in 2019 my doctor prescribed medication but I am not allowed at his insistence to control the taking of it - he doesn't trust me (part of me doesn't either) to be responsible with it as its extremely dangerous in a  larger quantity and would be fatal.. My ex husband had recently parted from his g/f and moved in with me so he could look after thev situation. We are friends but have no physical or personal relati.onship and he has my spare bedroom, I pay all the bills as I am the named (social) tenant. We both are in agreement now he should be perhaps be my formal lodger due to our own individual circumstances. There is not and will not be any reconciliation between us for a "relationship" or partnership. We are both agreed that ship sailed long ago and we both want our independenceapart from the landlord/lodger aspect.  My personal savings are depleting and I think UC beckons for me. My ex is OK financially and separately runs his own affairs and is happy to pay rent. Will UC ask me to name my lodger and cause questioning as we both have the same surname?  Any thoughts appreciated! 

huckster

Suggest sending a journal message on the UC claim when you set it up explaining what you have said in your post here.  Part of the UC claim is a journal facility so you can provide information, ask questions etc.
There would be a small housing deduction each month for non dependent, as your lodger would be paying you for their room. But UC does not consider rent from lodger as income.

Edit - first sentence removed.  See below.

poppy12345

If you are unable to work because of your health condition then you will need to send in fit notes from your GP and this will start the work capability assessment off. More info here. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-quick-guide/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition

calcotti

huckster said:

Include your ex husband as a non dependant adult living with you on the UC claim when applying.  Suggest sending a journal message on the UC claim when you set it up explaining what you have said in your post here.  Part of the UC claim is a journal facility so you can provide information, ask questions etc.
There would be a small housing deduction each month for non dependant, as your lodger would be paying you for their room. But UC does not consider rent from lodger as income.

I don’t think this is correct. I don’t think a non dependant can be a lodger. They have to either
1) a non dependant in which case the claimant is allowed a bedroom for them but there is a housing deduction, or
2) a lodger in which case the rental income is ignored but the lodger does not t count towards the bedroom allowance.
In this case status as a lodger seems appropriate and a lodger is not a non dependant and does not form part of the household.

KarenB021

Thank you for all your replies. The info is so hard to find especially as I am not sure about what to say. If anyone else has anything to add, I'd be grateful 

poppy12345

KarenB021 said:

Thank you for all your replies. The info is so hard to find especially as I am not sure about what to say. If anyone else has anything to add, I'd be grateful 

You'll need to claim Universal Credit online here. https://www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit Once you've claimed everything is done through your online journal. Although you will need that fit note for the work capability assessment process. It takes 5 weeks for you first payment and then it's paid monthly after that.

More info here. https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/universal-credit-an-introduction

huckster

calcotti said:

huckster said:

Include your ex husband as a non dependant adult living with you on the UC claim when applying.  Suggest sending a journal message on the UC claim when you set it up explaining what you have said in your post here.  Part of the UC claim is a journal facility so you can provide information, ask questions etc.
There would be a small housing deduction each month for non dependant, as your lodger would be paying you for their room. But UC does not consider rent from lodger as income.

I don’t think this is correct. I don’t think a non dependant can be a lodger. They have to either
1) a non dependant in which case the claimant is allowed a bedroom for them but there is a housing deduction, or
2) a lodger in which case the rental income is ignored but the lodger does not t count towards the bedroom allowance.
In this case status as a lodger seems appropriate and a lodger is not a non dependant and does not form part of the household.

Yes you are correct.   When the UC claim is made the following should not be included.

• your sub-tenant, lodger or boarder

KarenB021

Good morning everybody

I am still a little confused...(par for the course!)  Surely I would need to say I have a lodger for council tax purposes as it would no longer be a single household? I am so concerned that I don't make a mistake on the application. My biggest concern is UC are going to automatically assume the ex and I have reconciled which is absolutely  not the case.I have also today spoken to the DWP re PiP but guess I should not hold out much hope on that one. I really appreciate all your advice as it makes "understanding" the jargon on the application make a little more sense. 

calcotti

KarenB021 said: I am still a little confused...(par for the course!)  Surely I would need to say I have a lodger for council tax purposes as it would no longer be a single household? I am so concerned that I don't make a mistake on the application. My biggest concern is UC are going to automatically assume the ex and I have reconciled which is absolutely  not the case.I have also today spoken to the DWP re PiP but guess I should not hold out much hope on that one. I really appreciate all your advice as it makes "understanding" the jargon on the application make a little more sense. 

You have only asked about UC so far and the answers you have received so far are about UC. No one on the forum can say whether or not Uc will ask questions about your relationship with your lodger.

I am not sure about lodgers and single person discount on Council Tax. Why don't you ring your local authority and ask them?

Whether or not you will be entitled to PIP depends entirely on how your health condition(s) affect you ability to carry out the prescribed activities.

KatrinaWaves

Council tax isn’t bothered about  households. They care about eligible adults. 

You won’t get your single person discount anymore as there are two eligible adults. When you apply for the means tested council tax reduction you will need to tell them about your lodger and the income you get from it. You may still qualify for help with the council tax based on your income but not based on being a single adult. 

poppy12345

KarenB021 said:

 My biggest concern is UC are going to automatically assume the ex and I have reconciled which is absolutely  not the case.

As your lodger is your ex husband then my advice is they may ask questions regarding your relationship and they may ask for proof that this isn't the case. Although as has been advised, no one can tell you for certain.