PUZZLED ABOUT MY HOUSING BENEFIT AWARD

cat6873

I started to get my state pension last month (Dec 2024) and applied in September 2024 for Pension Credit and Housing Benefit.

My pension and pension credit hit my bank account on time while my Housing Benefit got done today - I called them to know why the delay.

Anyway I was told my entitlement is £218.63 per week, same as I was getting with Universal Credit.

My believe was that because I get Guaranteed Pension Credit and enhanced PIP daily living that the council would pay the whole rent.

Am I wrong? Has the council made a mistake? 😡

poppy123456

That depends whether you live in privately rented property or social housing. If privately rented then your rent will depend on the local housing allowance for the area you live. If you’re a single person then you’ll be entitled to the 1 bedroom rate of LHA.
See link. In this case it may not cover the whole of your rent, even when claiming PC. https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/

If living in Social housing then yes your whole rent should be covered, unless there’s service charges included with your rent that are not covered by housing benefit.

Edit to add I see you were living in privately rented, if this still applies then you would need to pay the shortfall yourself.

cat6873

Thank you Poppy yes and the 'shortfall' is £300 per month as it was on UC.

poppy123456

That’s a very high amount, sadly that’s no unusual for those that are privately renting. Being state pension age doesn’t automatically entitle to more housing benefit in your case.

If you need regular overnight care you can claim an extra bedroom for a carer because your PIP includes daily living part. This would mean you would be entitled to 2 bedroom rate of LHA instead of 1.