Confused on disability premiums and housing benefit cap.

DudleyJohn

Hello, I am currently receiving UC with the LCWRA element, and have also recently been awarded PIP.

I have read online about how if you are receiving PIP and/or LCWRA then you are exempt from the benefits cap. My rent is £625 a month in a private rental but the LHA for my area is only £495 so I’m having to pay the £130 difference, am I right in thinking I can claim the full amount of rent to be paid because I’m in receipt of PIP/LCWRA? If so how do I go about that? Who do I contact and what do I say?

Also I’ve been reading about disability premiums that it says you are entitled to if you are receiving PIP daily living allowance, could someone please clarify if I would be entitled to it and how I would go about getting it please.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, it’s my first post and navigating my way through all of this is very confusing.

Kimi87

No disability premiums are payable with either UC or PIP.

The benefit cap and having all your rent paid are separate issues.

PIP means no benefit cap.

PIP doesn't mean you automatically get all your rent paid.

You aren't exempt from the LHA rate for your circumstances.

Do you have a spare bedroom at home?

Do you receive regular and frequent overnight care?

DudleyJohn

Thank you for the reply,

I’m still confused as what it means to have no benefit cap. I’m new to all of this.

My sister comes over to help me but she doesn’t stay overnight

Kimi87

In that case your PIP doesn't entitle you to a higher LHA rate.

The benefit cap means a limit on the amount an individual or family can receive in benefits.

As you get PIP that limit doesn't apply.

https://www.gov.uk/benefit-cap

DudleyJohn

Ok, so what circumstances entitle someone to get a higher lha rate? As I’m very confused, there’s so much conflicting information online.

Kimi87

If you had a spare bedroom and received regular, frequent overnight care then LHA would likely increase to pay for that extra bedroom.