PIP AWARD AND HOUSING BENEFIT

london75

Hi I just received an review award for PIP,which was great news,but I was recieving pip before,now the council wants to look at my housing benefit and council tax reduction,do they not know I'm on pip and uni credit, although I'm due to have an assessment on uni credit any time soon,with help I'm filling the uc50 form in now,because my award went up,I live with my mum and dad who are pensioners and I have mental health problems as well as other problems,because my award went up by 100 a a month,will they scrap my housing benefit because of my benefits award,mum and dad get a basic pension,are they giving with one hand and taking away with another,they are asking for all award letters,which they never did before,my mum and dad are pensioners and im on benefits,just us 3,is PIP got anything to do with the housing benefit you can claim, because my friend works and gets a pip award due to her being disabled,any advice would be gratefully appreciated,thank you 

EDW

Hi hun. From my experience PIP is a non means tested benefit so irrespective of how much income you recieve in other benefits , your pip award should not be affected. I'm a bit miffed why the council have got involved re your council tax etc. If your really stressed out which I would be myself in your shoes , contact citizens advice and tell them your situation and how it's affecting your health x

poppy123456

I'm a little confused here because you mention claiming UC and housing benefit. You would only be claiming housing benefit at the same time as UC if you're either living in supported or temporary housing. 

You also said you're living with your parents. Is the housing benefit claimed by your parents and not yourself? I would expect this to be the case here. 

If it is your parents then if you're 25 and over there would be a non dependant deduction because you're living there, unless either of them are claiming a disability benefit which must include either PIP daily living, DLA mid/high rate care or AA. Are any of them claiming either of those? See link. https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/housing_benefit_deductions_when_living_with_non_dependants
For council tax reduction, all local Authorities have their own rules so I won't be able to advise with that. 

london75

Hi yes my mum and dads claim to housing benefit and council tax reduction, I live with them,I'm classed as a non dependent but they want my latest award letters and my pip has gone up about 120 pound a month which is great for me,but are they giving with one hand and taking back with another by putting the rent and council tax up,I am waiting to be assessed for uni credit sickness award, previously they didn't ask for my award letters.

poppy123456

They shouldn't be asking for your PIP award letter because that isn't means tested and won't affect your parents housing benefit. 

Are either of them claiming a disability benefit their self? If not then whether there's a deduction in thier housing benefit will depend on your circumstance. Please see my above comment.

Has their housing benefit been decreased?

london75

Hi poppy and thanks for helping,they are just on their pension no disability benefits although my mum works less than 15 hours a week a part time job,also it was decreased,but a benefit officer from the council is saying if you Don't give me latest award letters,the deductions will end,they have the info about my mum,I'm on the lower sick benefit of uni credit,at this time although being assessed soon,I was on a lower amount of pip before,and was not asked about giving a PIP letter award to them, previously,I think I did give them a printout of my uni credit although that was a few years ago now before covid,maybe give that to them again a uni credit printout of what i get,or will getting pip reduce or increase the rent further?i don't understand all this as I'm not the head of the household, as said before i haven't ever given them my award for pip so you say just give them the uni credit one? thanks for your help if any more suggestions poppy,many thanks James.

poppy123456

Your PIP award will not affect their housing benefit. Are you under 25?

london75

No late forties

poppy123456

Thanks. Then there would be a £18.10/week deduction in her housing benefit for you. As she also works then how much housing benefit she's entitled to will depend on their joint circumstances. I won't be able to advise on that. 

For council Tax reduction, again I can't advise on that because all local Authorities have their own rules. 

london75

Hi everyone thanks again for your advice poppy, there was another thing I would like some help or advice on if I could please good people, it's about the UC50 form and consent to notify your GP of the outcome of the work capability assessment,i do speak to different GPS all the time,will that make any difference?some more than others know about my conditions,and also sharing information about my health conditions,as I've heard and read different stories about these parts of the form good and bad.Is it best to tick yes or no to both questions?and what would be best for me and my outcome, because sometimes I get paranoid that this could be used against me in some way,again any help with these questions would be extremely appreciated,many thanks James.

poppy123456

It's entirely up to you whether you want them to notify your GP with the outcome of the WCA. Nothing will happen either way, what ever you choose to do.