Hi, my name is pammmi! Why told that my pip payment is being used to calculate my housing benefit.

pammmi

hello

I’m trying to figure out why I’m told that my pip payment is being used to calculate my housing benefit

I’m confused because everything I read tells me that it shouldn’t be used for than and shouldn’t be calculated as earnings

Does anyone know which is right. I’ve been questioning it for several years. I’m state pension age don’t know if that would make a difference

poppy123456

PIP isn't means tested so it shouldn't be treated as earnings for your housing benefit. If it includes the daily living part and you're living with non dependants they will be no non dependant deductions.

pammmi

thank you Poppy 123456

Everything you’re saying is what I’ve been told. I’m in a private rented house which is very expensive on a state pension

I did contact the pip phone line and they told me that it is counted. However I’ve been reading about it online again and it’s saying exactly the same. It shouldn’t be counted.
I could do with having a definite answer because we’re paying £900 a month rent. To which they will only give me £24 a week housing benefit but are charging something like £150 a week for a spare room. We both get state pension but it’s a struggle. I’d be grateful for any ideas in getting through to someone who be able to give an official stamp on it

Thank you for your reply

Pammmi!

Kimmy87

You'd need to talk to Housing Benefit, not PIP about this.

Something is definitely amiss because as you are both of state pension age, there should be no deduction for a spare room either.

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/housing_benefit_if_you_are_pension_age

poppy123456

As you're privately renting the spare room (bedroom tax) doesn't apply to you. What does apply is Local Housing Allowance. (LHA) If there's only yourself and your partner living in the house then you'll be entitled to the 1 bedroom rate of LHA. You can see the rates here.

https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk

If you or your partner are receiving any private pensions that they will be treated as income.

Holly_Scope

Hi @pammmi and welcome to the online community 😊

I can see that you've had some responses from community members so I won't add anything else at this point, but please keep us updated and let us know if you need anything more.

I hope you don't mind but I've made a little change to your posts title. Just to make it easier for members in the forum to see what it's about as they may have some helpful advice from their experiences, or even benefit themselves from your post if they've got the same question. I hope that's ok.

All the best,

Holly.