Universal Credit - Bedroom Tax - Dependent deduction

esellek

Hi

I have had a couple of messages via my journal and trying to sort out the problem I have with the bedroom tax.

I notified the UC about a change when one of my children left education and in the universal credit I had the expected deduction with them coming off my UC claim, but I also had a bedrooom deduction (August).  3 bedroom house, all rooms occupied.  I had my daughter on the claim but she was down as being abroad, albeit I had told them that she was home for good after a year abroad with uni (ages ago). She has always been on the claim but I didn't see that it says she was abroad.  (I hope that this makes sense) [she's finished her final year at uni before she does her MA and job hunting as the MA is part time]

With the September payment, I have had the bedroom tax taken again so I am slightly confused. I made a journal entry, and tried to call (on hold for too long my anxiety was hitting me), no reply yet from the journal entry (1 week ago).

Before the Septemner payment I had an advisor say that as my daughter isn't in receipt of PIP, then I still get a non-dependent deduction and no reduction in bedroom tax if I receive PIP as this only applies if she receives it.

I was pointed to the Shelter website, and there it says there shouldn't be a non-dependent deduction. https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/universal_credit_housing_cost_contributions

I don't know if I should get the deduction or not as nothing is clear and I am getting muddled.

Thank you to anyone who can explain the muddle I am in

Spoonie_Turtle

How old are your children?

The Shelter website is correct.  It is unfortunately not unusual for UC workers to get things confidently wrong.

esellek

Spoonie_Turtle said:

How old are your children?

The Shelter website is correct.  It is unfortunately not unusual for UC workers to get things confidently wrong.

The oldest is nearly 24 

UC - they drive me even more batty!

Spoonie_Turtle

So for your 24yo there would be a deduction, unless they or you claim PIP or DLA.  For any younger, again depends on their age. 
For under 21s no deduction, 21 or above, yes a deduction unless they claim a qualifying benefit.

Edit: hang on, do you claim PIP?

Edit 2: if you do claim PIP, do you get the daily living component?

esellek

Thank you.   I get both elements of PIP.    The other one is 18

Spoonie_Turtle

Well then the UC person was indeed wrong.

This is the official UC guidance

Renters exempt from HCC deduction
F3150 No HCC deduction will be made where
1. the renter is
1.1 a single person or
1.2 a joint renter and
1.2.a where there is at least one joint renter

2. who is
2.1 blind
2.2 in receipt of the care component of DLA, CDP or ADP at the middle or highest rate
2.3 in receipt of “AA” (includes AFIP)
2.4 in receipt of the daily living component of PIP

From ADM Chapter F3 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66154db4c4c84d5772346a34/admf3.pdf

esellek

Thank you ever so much.  I've saved the informatino and the link too  

Thank you again for your help.

NedS

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Well then the UC person was indeed wrong.

This is the official UC guidance

Renters exempt from HCC deduction
F3150 No HCC deduction will be made where
1. the renter is
1.1 a single person or
1.2 a joint renter and
1.2.a where there is at least one joint renter

2. who is
2.1 blind
2.2 in receipt of the care component of DLA, CDP or ADP at the middle or highest rate
2.3 in receipt of “AA” (includes AFIP)
2.4 in receipt of the daily living component of PIP

From ADM Chapter F3 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66154db4c4c84d5772346a34/admf3.pdf

Sometimes it can be a system issue which requires a bit of further investigation.

The UC system will talk to CIS each month to determine if the claimant is in receipt of PIP daily living, and will only apply the disregard if the result comes back that they are in receipt of PIP daily living. If the information on CIS is wrong or not up to date, the disregard will not be applied by the system.

Sometimes the PIP award has recently ended, has changed or has not been updated on CIS so the housing charge is applied.

esellek

Latest back from my journal entry! I’ll keep battling but they are doing my head even more than it is already!

The exemptions that you are listing refer to non dependants in the household not to yourself Thank you Jo

NedS

On your journal, ask them to refer it to the SIL team by raising an ACT to check the award is correct.

esellek

NedS said:

On your journal, ask them to refer it to the SIL team by raising an ACT to check the award is correct.

Thank you, I've done this and will see if they can figure themselves out!