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Rent increase has lowered my maximum housing element

Shiv_forgets

Hi everyone,

I was given an exemption to the "Shared rate" in a M.R. last year (March 2023) but after a recent rent increase, my newest statement says "we cannot pay more than the Shared Accommodation rate"

I tried to let them know via the "money" section of my UC journal but a nice lady told me "those calculations are correct." Which I've questioned further but hadn't heard back yet. Oh and I've just left a more concise message for my work coach.

I'm just wondering if that's enough or if I should try calling (if they don't reply for a while)

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poppy123456

What was the exemption that you had? There's a list here to things that will exempt you from the shared rate. https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/benefits_for_under_35s_in_shared_housing

Shiv_forgets

Hi Poppy! So I'd lived in 2 hostels for a year, and managed to get one of them to confirm this, via their charity. (Whereas my domestic abuse service couldn't release any info for them without a court order.)

And thankyou for your time, I really appreciate the help.

poppy123456

Living in a hostel for at least 3 months is one of the reasons you can claim 1 bedroom rate instead of shared but the rules for this changed in 2021. Domestic abuse is one of the other reasons but I don't know how long it would be paid for at this rate.

Receiving either daily living PIP/ADP or DLA mid/high rate care also exempts you.

Shiv_forgets

Yes! I received the decision in March 2023, after informing them back in 2021 and then finally getting a letter from the charity. Awh I can't find any info about the length for the exemption, in my claim/decision or online.

https://centrepoint.org.uk/research-reports/exemptions-shared-accommodation-rate-care-leavers-and-young-people-homeless

(The 2021 changes)

I worry that after the LHA was finally increased and having had my rent increased past the maximum of my LHA's shared amount they might have overlooked last year's decision.

(on a side note I finally had a pip assessment, just waiting to hear back)

Shiv_forgets

Just a small update, a work coach replied on friday by setting a new 'to-do' for me to re-upload the file, (which I sent both the charity letter and last year's decision,) and to ask for the shared rate to be checked again. No replies yet, but i could maybe try leaving the message under 'money' or 'service issues' if I dont hear back today. Or should I call?

Hopefully it'll just resolve itself 😅

Kind regards, Shiva.

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