Housing benefit

LOU40

Yesterday I received a letter from my council telling me that my direct debit for my rent will change to £100 more a month. I rang them and was told that because my sons ESA went up I now get less housing benefit. They said something about a threshold for households but I can't really find out anything about it. 

Robbie64

LOU40 said:

Yesterday I received a letter from my council telling me that my direct debit for my rent will change to £100 more a month. I rang them and was told that because my sons ESA went up I now get less housing benefit. They said something about a threshold for households but I can't really find out anything about it. 

What type of ESA is your son claiming and how old is he? Why did his benefit level change? Did he turn 25 or has he recently had a work capability assessment to determine whether he is still entitled to ESA? In all the above examples, your HB can be reduced by £19.30 per week. for someone who pays rent monthly, this would mean a shortfall on HB of £83.60 or so per month.

LOU40

He is 29, he's on income related and in the support group. His money went up in April because benefit rates go up in April

poppy12345

If he's the only non dependant at home then there should be a standard £19.30/week deduction. Are you claiming a disability benefit yourself, such as PIP/ADP daily living or DLA mid/high rate care? If so then there shouldn't be any non dependant deductions. 

LOU40

I get carers, income support and partner gets PIP. Son gets ESA and PIP. 

HillStreetBlues

LOU40 said:

Yesterday I received a letter from my council telling me that my direct debit for my rent will change to £100 more a month. I rang them and was told that because my sons ESA went up I now get less housing benefit. They said something about a threshold for households but I can't really find out anything about it. 

The DD on it's own is meaningless as could include any arrears that might be owed. (Some staff that answer the phone just guess at reason without actually knowing.).

LOU40

They have added about £20 a month on the direct debit to pay off the arrears. It's just that they never told me about any of this or that I was in arrears. Yesterday was the first I knew of it when I got a letter telling me my direct debit was being changed

HillStreetBlues

LOU40 said:

I get carers, income support and partner gets PIP. Son gets ESA and PIP. 

What is the PIP your partner gets? Mobility, care or both?

HillStreetBlues

At a guess the £100 is made up of the non dependant (about £80) & £20 overpayment.
So need to find out if that is correct.

LOU40

Partner gets both for pip, I think that's what they are saying £80 for non dependant and £20 for arreara

Alice_Holt

As your partner gets the Daily Living component of PIP, there should be no non-dependent deduction levied.

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/housing_benefit_deductions_when_living_with_non_dependants