Housing benefit and pip

Bambi333

Hi guys 

This community is amazing and it's been super helpful for me when putting in my claim for pip. 

I have very recently been awarded pip, I'm really happy and a huge weight has been lifted of my shoulders. I am a little concerned about what happens to my housing benefit claim though. 

I've been told that I can get extra help with my housing benefit, however I'm self employed. I currently receive a little bit of help from housing benefit but I was just wondering if anyone on here has any experience with being self employed, claiming housing benefit and claiming pip. 

Alex_Alumni

Hi there @Bambi333 and thanks for posting, it's great to hear you've been award PIP, and that you've found the community so helpful too. 

I only have experience of claiming PIP, not being self employed and claiming housing benefit at the same time, so I can't advise you directly, but Scope does have some guidance on housing benefit:

Benefits that do not count as income and will not affect your claim include:

• PIP
• DLA
• Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
• Attendance Allowance
• Bereavement Support Payment
• Child Benefit
• Guardian’s Allowance

I hope that helps a little, but please ask if you're still feeling unsure about anything, as our members are very knowledgeable. 

calcotti

I understand you are already receiving Housing Benefit but it doesn’t cover all of your rent.

If your PIP includes Daily Living, you live alone and nobody is receiving Carers Allowance for looking after you then your HB will now include a Severe Disability Premium which will increase your entitlement.

If applicable the extra should be backdated to the date your PIP award starts from.