Advice please

Maddisonred

Hi It's been 2 weeks since I migrated over to Universal Credit from ESA support group and been a nightmare

They said they were only paying £413 directly to my council for rent but my rent is £480 a month

Told them I have a friend who comes over twice a week and sleeps over to help me with my housework bills bathing me etc as I have disabilities in my hands and arms so not able to do a lot for myself and it states on the DWP website that you are entitled to a spare bedroom if you have a carer comes over to look after your needs and I'm also on PIP enhanced care highest rate so also says exempt from deductions

But today I received an email from council to say I have a balance that needs to be paid and universal credit have said they have send this request through to the right department and I would answer me when I could but that I can have an advanced payment but I don't want something that I will need to pay back for something I should have already received as I fulfill the criteria

Has this happened to anyone else?Any advice?

Thank you.

Kimmy87

To qualify for a spare bedroom the care needs to be frequent and overnight.

I'm afraid someone staying over two nights a week isn't frequent enough, and the care tasks you've posted about all could safely be achieved during the day. So no need for overnight care.

Being on PIP (Daily Living) means you are exempt from non dependant deductions from your UC Housing Element.

Non dependants are people who live with you full time.

Maddisonred

I didn't know that and I'm not sure why universal credit didn't realize that I am exempt from deductions and that they are meant to pay all the rent as I did tell them on the phone that I was on PIP enhanced care highest rate therefore exempt

poppy123456

Do you live in social/council housing? If so and you have a spare bedroom you’ll be affected by the bedroom tax and there will be a 14% reduction in your housing element. Claiming PIP doesn’t automatically exempt you from that.

As advised by kimmy, if regular overnight care is needed you could claim that extra bedroom but if it’s just twice a week to help with housework you may not qualify.

Kimmy87

You aren't exempt from all Housing Element deductions due to your PIP.

Do you live alone with a spare bedroom?

Maddisonred

I have just had an email from Council saying that I am entitled to a discretionary housing payment to cover the rent until my first universal credit payment

Also been told I should not get any deductions and my rent would still be paid due to being on PIP enhanced care highest rate but it will take a few weeks for them to sort it out

WhatThe

Well done Maddisonred!! Result!