Is housing benefit capped if receiving disability benefits?

Bud18

Hi

I'm looking to move house, is there a cap on how much housing benefit you receive if you are on disability benefits? I receive both enhanced rates of ADP and I receive UC LCWRA. The benefit cap rules confuse me when it comes to housing benefit.

thanks!

poppy123456

The benefit cap doesn’t apply because of daily living ADP. LCWRA also excludes you if you weren’t claiming ADP.

As you’re claiming UC then rent will be included with this known as housing element, unless living in either supported or temporary housing and then it would be housing benefit. It’s important to know that they are different benefits.

If you’re privately renting then housing element will be based on the Local Housing Allowance for you area and circumstances. If you’re a single person then you would be entitled to the 1 bedroom rate of LHA. If you need regular overnight care this can increase to 2 bedroom rate. However, you can’t claim for more than what you rent liability is. See link to check the rates. https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/

If you’re living in social housing then you’ll be entitled to maximum housing element, unless you have spare bedrooms and then there would be a reduction for bedroom tax. In this situation you can also claim an extra bedroom for a carer if needed.

Bud18

Thanks. So there is a cap based on the Local Housing Allowance for that area? I will be sharing with someone so 2 bedrooms will be needed. Is the allowance based on 1 bedroom, as I only need 1 bedroom?

Bud18

Also can I move somewhere where the LHA won't cover all the rent and I make up the short fall? In my area most of the rent is above the amount that the LHA covers.

poppy123456

If house sharing then you'll be entitled to the 1 bedroom rate of LHA. Though you can't receive more than what your actual rent liability is.

You can live anywhere you want, with as many bedrooms as you want, you would just need to pay the shortfall yourself.