Advice needed bedroom tax

roddyrob

Hi me and partner are being pursued for bedroom tax. I can't sleep in same bed as my partner due to my mental health issues and physical health problems so we have compromised and have 2 double beds in one room and used the other for storage. I also can't share a bed as well due to past trauma. This isn't good enough and feel I am being attack due to my issue and how I cope. I don't sleep well so I am up and down. I am currently awaiting a referral for ot but we now at the stage of awaiting a tribunal I feel they are not listening to my issues and ignoring the fact I can't reside in same bed as my partner. Any advice would be helpful

Kimi87

Being excluded from Bedroom Tax on the grounds of disability is for couples unable to share a room.

Although you cannot share a bed, you are successfully sharing a bedroom and say the spare bedroom is used for storage.

So unfortunately I do not see your appeal against the bedroom tax being successful. As your actual need for bedrooms is still one room evidenced by your current set up and words on here.

roddyrob

Thanks but I think a single room allowance with 2 double beds is going to be a issue and disregards my past abuse and trauma which is in my medical records. I got no choice but to try

Kimi87

I appreciate these things are always worth a try, but as per Shelter the definition is:

Disabled person who can't share a bedroom

You get payment for an extra bedroom if due to disability:

an adult cannot share with their partner

a child cannot share with another child

The disabled person must get one of the following benefits:

PIP - daily living component

DLA - middle or high care component

attendance allowance - higher rate

You are successfully able to share a room and have chosen to have two double beds, that aspect at least is a choice you've made, not a necessity.

Sorry if that seems harsh but that's my opinion.

I have a single bed as due to disability I couldn't manage to change a double myself nor move one when I need to access the built in storage cupboard my bed is up against. I live in a one bed flat and due to room layout there isn't anywhere else to site the bed.

I always steer clear of cheap mattresses and choose super deep ones because they are so comfortable, and bonus they enable me to get up out of bed much more easily.

Morgan_Alumni

Hello @roddyrob. The issue is, for an additional bedroom to be awarded, you need to not be able to share a room. Unfortunately, having separate beds in the same room does not count, and they do not see that as needing an additional room, or not being able to share. The question of beds isn't what they consider, it's only if you need a separate room.

If your bed was in a different room as you were unable to share a room, it may be viewed differently.

roddyrob

Yep get high care.

an adult cannot share with their partner

and I can't share. In your eyes you see it as a choice the beds in my eyes it isn't I need space.

Any how thanks on your advice.

roddyrob

But if under 35 yr old would not be a issue on things thanks all on advice will persue any how got no choice

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/957778#Comment_957778

I’m not sure what you’re referring to here but I think it’s the shared rate of local Housing allowance.

All this means is that a single person under the age of 35 that doesn’t claim a qualifying disability benefit will be entitled to the shared rate of Local housing Allowance, rather than the 1 bedroom rate. It also only applies to those that are privately renting.

When someone lives with a partner they are entitled to 1 bedroom rate and not shared rate, regardless of a disability benefit award.

In your case I have to agree with others here and not being able to share a bed but being able to share a bedroom is unlikely to entitle you to the extra bedroom.

roddyrob

Thanks on advice but I am seeking help in the wrong place and realise this now upon reflection I now know where to persue this.

Best regards

Morgan_Alumni

I hope you manage to get the help you need @roddyrob.