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Recieving PIP , student and Bedroom tax?

Jcaans

I am currently living in temporary accommodation. However the council has found me a council flat for me and my cousin to live in. The tennancy will be Soley on my name and not my cousins

However he is a full time student, aged 19.

I am receiving universal credit, Limited Capability for wok work and daily living allowance PIP.

I have now been told by the council I may not be able to have the property, as my cousin isnt in recepit of any benefit. Therefore there maybe a Bedroom tax as housing benefit MAY not cover it.

I thought me having PIP and my cousine being a FT student meant that I would be excempt from paying any Bedroom Tax.

I am unsure what to do. As I really wanted to get out of here.

Was i right?

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poppy123456

Your rent will be covered through Universal Credit if you move from temporary accommodation, not through housing benefit. It’s known as housing element.
You will only pay bedroom tax if you have a spare bedroom. If it’s a 2 bedroom and your cousin lives with you then you won’t pay bedroom tax. You will need to tell UC that your cousin lives with you.

Jcaans

poppy123456 said:

Your rent will be covered through Universal Credit if you move from temporary accommodation, not through housing benefit. It’s known as housing element.
You will only pay bedroom tax if you have a spare bedroom. If it’s a 2 bedroom and your cousin lives with you then you won’t pay bedroom tax. You will need to tell UC that your cousin lives with you.

Thank you Poppy, due to my cousins being 19 and none dependant on me. He is going college. he doesnt recieve any benefits. However I do, due to my health etc.

I spoke to Universal credit and he seemed unsure. He said he doesnt think so. But until the flat is offered to me and I give them the details of the new flat, as I will need to notify them of the change of address. he cant tell me. as calculations etc change. He seemed abit vague.

My other issue is that the council has said they wont offer the property unless I can prove that the UC wont apply bedroom tax due to my cousin. unless my cousin has an income, to contribute, However he is a student. They are unaware of my PIP yet, as I have only recently been awarded this. As I made an application for council house a long time before and i only just got it.

poppy123456

I wouldn't have expected someone from UC to know because they're not benefits advisors. As i advised, you won't be affected by the bedroom tax because your cousin is living with you but you will need to report that they are living with you.

I'll tag one of the scope team who will be able to confirm this for you. @Adrian_Scope sorry to tag you but can you help please?

Adrian_Scope

Hello @Jcaans. It's understandable that you might be feeling unsure and confused about the situation.

What @poppy123456 has explained is correct.

The Bedroom Tax applies only if you have more bedrooms than the social or council property you live in states you need. However, in your case, because your extended household unit is entitled to the two bedrooms, and you have two bedrooms in your property, the bedroom tax does not apply.

I've included a couple of links below that may help you explain this situation to the council:

Shelter explains when the Bedroom Tax does not apply.
Disability Rights explains the number of bedrooms allowed

Good luck with the council, I hope you manage to get it sorted and are able to move in to the new property.

poppy123456

Thanks @Adrian_Scope for your quick response, it's much appreciated!

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