Moving from ESA and housing benefit to UC / bedroom tax

We want to hear from you: please tell us about your experience of the online community.

buddy85

I am just in the process of moving from ESA and housing benefit to universal credit.

A couple of questions please.

I currently pay bedroom tax as I am classed as having a spare bedroom, however in the housing section of UC claim forms I cant find anywhere to declare it?, any advice please.

I also am in receipt of pip higher rate for daily living and mobility components.

I recently found out that I should have been exempt from bedroom tax as my partner( who doesn't live with me), uses the spare bedroom at weekends when she helps me getting showered and housework.

Can I now claim an exemption for the spare bedroom because of my higher rate pip award on the universal credit form, and can it be backdated, and if so how and were do I put this on the form . Or is it too late

Thanks everyone

Kimi87

If you rent from social housing, UC will confirm the rent amount with your landlord, they will also get information about property size and realise you have a spare bedroom.

You can write a note on your Journal (using the payment option) saying you believe your Housing Element should include a second bedroom due to xyz.

Put the start date as your UC claim date. They may ask you to explain why you were "late" in reporting the change.

It will then go to a Decision Maker for a decision around backdating. If they refuse you have further options.

Anything further back with Housing Benefit would need to be taken up with HB at your local council.