Extra room

Llywelyn

Claimant wants to move home. He is able to bid on one bedroom properties but would benefit from being able to bid on two bedroom properties so he can benefit from the care he needs but doesn't always get at the moment.
He gets PIP  ESA and housing benefit and the council say that he is eligible for one bedroom. 
We wanted to know if he claimed UC would the DWP make the decision regarding bedroom need.
As soon as he moves home he will need to claim UC so we wanted to know if it would be useful to claim before he moves because it would be one less thing to do at a later date and because it would allow him the extra room he needs for care.
Thanks

Kimmy87

DWP via UC would make the decision about the extra bedroom.

However any help with rent under UC (Housing Element) is based on where he lives at the time.

He can't recieve more money than his actual rent.

If the local authority allows bids on two bedrooms and he was successful, he cannot claim for his new rent amount & ask for an extra bedroom allowance until the day he moves into the new property. There is no guarantee he will be granted an extra bedroom, although you can appeal any negative decision.

UC is not geared up to deal with future changes. You have to report changes when they happen, not in advance.

EDIT: I see you already had some advice here

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/128657/dwp-vs-council

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

The DWP don't have any say on council bedroom need unfortunately. I have the same problem myself and can only bid for one-bed properties. Each council has it's own rules but mine require proof of regular overnight care needs before they'll consider allowing a 2nd bedroom.