Charge For Extra Bedroom UC

ANDY1964

Any advice would be appreciated.

Jyana

You last commented that it was in the hands of the decision maker at present. Has there been a reply yet? Nothing can really be added to what members have already told you until the DM gets back to you.

If they have got back to you and turn the decision down, please explain fully why that is so that we have the information in order to further help you.

ANDY1964

It has now been with the decision maker for over six weeks.
Is there a timeframe for decision maker to decide in these circumstances.
I am not sure.
Thanks Andy

Jyana

Someone here recently had an eight week wait for her DM if I recall correctly. Ever since COVID wait times have increased by quite a bit I am afraid. I know it's difficult. I'm not that knowledgeable on UC, but maybe you could try giving them a call or ask in your journal since it has been six weeks now, maybe they can give you an idea on the wait times? 

ANDY1964

The Decision Maker has adjudged that I do not need to pay bedroom tax as from.the 3rd January 2024 when i declared the change.

Giving i made this declaration when i was transfered from ESA to UC some time ago the declaration was made then not some time later ( 03/01/2024.

To say that I am slightly confused is an understatement.

Spoonie_Turtle

I can't help you but those who can may need to know the exact circumstances you mean by this:

ANDY1964 said:

poppy12345 said:

ANDY1964 said:

Jyana said:

As above, Ned has already explained the action required in order to see if they will accept your situation to stop charging you the extra for the spare bedroom, including any backdating to the start of your UC claim.

If owed how much or for how long  would UC be liable to pay back?

That's already been answered here. 

NedS said:

citing the date you first required overnight care (this cannot be before the date you were awarded PIP daily living). 

UC have informed me that a decision on the bedroom tax will be from a new claim I had to make because of a change of circumstances made December 2023.
They have not mentioned that previous claim for 3 years that might also be subject to an over payment of bedroom tax.

ANDY1964

Hi.

It has now been over seven weeks since I asked for a mandatory decision on me paying bedroom tax since 2017.

UC keep saying it is still with the decision maker but I feel they have delayed this process by repeatedly asking me to update my housing costs.

Seven times now I have updated and it has been the same amount each time so why the need to do this is confusing.

This delay is and in theory denying me the right to appeal if they di not intend to backdated any overpayment for bedroom tax that could be owed.

Any advice would be appreciated 

Danien

Your appeal rights would start from when the decision maker comes through with the decision. On the date of decision you will have a month to appeal. Sadly decisions are delayed on lots of benefit matters- it took over a year for me to get a PIP review decision recently.

As long as you have been told a decision maker is looking at the decision, then that means a decision is pending. Has it been put in writing that it is with a decision maker? If it has, it's a waiting game. 

ANDY1964

The decision maker has put on my journal that she is not going to backdate the bedroom tax from June 2017.

She has advised that there is no right to appeal, is that correct because I feel there are very.good grounds to appeal.

The reason that this has been refused is based on.rhe assumption that I did not ask for a review within 12 months.

However that was not the.case as a request was made in respect of bedroom tax exemption 6 months after.the.innitial.award of UC.

Any advise as always would be appreciated.

peteuk

Sorry Im confused….

You’re complaining about bedroom tax from 2017, seven weeks ago.  So where does the 12 month start, did you raise this in 2017/2018.

If you did raise it, what was the outcome, if no outcome why did you not chase it?

What are your grounds for claiming the extra bedroom? - someone could advise you on this and especially if DWP are correct, it will save you a lot of energy and frustration.