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Severe disability premium - any chance of getting it if brother lives with me?

theycallmepenguintheycallmepenguin Member Posts: 2 Listener
in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

As I understand it, I am not eligible for Severe Disability Premium because my brother lives in the same house as me and does not meet any of the criteria to be discounted (my mum lives here too, it's her house, but she gets PIP daily living).

What I want to know is, is there any chance of getting SDP if I applied? I feel like my brother shouldn't count because he does not work or contribute anything to the household and we're essentially estranged – him being here does not help me in the slightest.

The other thing is, my mother has asked me to move out and I'm going through the process of applying to go on the housing register – but I can only move into supported housing, and it could be a long wait. Will that be taken into account?


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  • poppy123456poppy123456 Member Posts: 22,218 Disability Gamechanger
    HI,

    Unfortunately, because your brother lives in the house with you and your mum then you won't be entitled to the SDP. Part of the criteria for this is you live alone or classed as living alone. As your brother lives with you and he doesn't claim a qualifying benefit then you won't be entitled. Waiting to move into supported housing isn't counted, i'm afraid.


    Proud winner of the 2019 empowering others award. This award was given for supporting disabled people and their families for the benefit advice I have given to members here on the community.
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  • theycallmepenguintheycallmepenguin Member Posts: 2 Listener
    poppy123456 said:
    HI,

    Unfortunately, because your brother lives in the house with you and your mum then you won't be entitled to the SDP. Part of the criteria for this is you live alone or classed as living alone. As your brother lives with you and he doesn't claim a qualifying benefit then you won't be entitled. Waiting to move into supported housing isn't counted, i'm afraid.


    Hi, yes that's what I've read. But surely there's some kind of flexibility for special cases? As I say, me and my brother are essentially estranged - I'm not exaggerating when I say that if I fell down the stairs, he would just leave me there. I thought SDP was to help people who live independently with the extra costs involved - but I essentially do live independently, just in a house where my brother also lives.

    It seems like such an unfair rule.
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  • poppy123456poppy123456 Member Posts: 22,218 Disability Gamechanger
    I'm afraid there isn't. Infact when living with family the rules are even stricter. Rules when living with immediate family such as brother, sister, mother etc even if you all have separate tenancy agreements and all pay your share of the rent. Unless they all claim a qualifying benefit you won't be eligible to claim the SDP they are expected to look after you because they are your immediate family.
    Proud winner of the 2019 empowering others award. This award was given for supporting disabled people and their families for the benefit advice I have given to members here on the community.
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  • poppy123456poppy123456 Member Posts: 22,218 Disability Gamechanger
    Immediate family, known as close relatives. See link for the decision makers guide here and scroll down to 44111.


    Proud winner of the 2019 empowering others award. This award was given for supporting disabled people and their families for the benefit advice I have given to members here on the community.
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