Under 35 with PIP, 1 Bedroom Rate Question

dantelloyd

I am a little confused by the information I am finding online.

If I am under 35 with the Daily Living component of PIP, do I get the 1 Bedroom Rate even if I am in shared accomadation?

OverlyAnxious

The LHA cap is the maximum amount of HB you can get.  

So if you pay less than the maximum 1-bed rate because you're currently in shared accommodation, they will only cover your actual rent amount.  If you moved to a 1-bed place, they would cover the rent on that up to the LHA cap.  

I hope that makes sense?

dantelloyd

I am currently paying more for shared accommodation than the shared rate. Some sites have said that over 35s can get the 1 Bedroom rate even if they are in shared accommodation. I am not sure if this is true or not.

If it was true, I am wondering if it would also be true for an under 35-year-old with the daily living component of PIP.

OverlyAnxious

dantelloyd said:

I am currently paying more for shared accommodation than the shared rate. Some sites have said that over 35s can get the 1 Bedroom rate even if they are in shared accommodation. I am not sure if this is true or not.

If it was true, I am wondering if it would also be true for an under 35-year-old with the daily living component of PIP.

Sorry, yes, I see you're after the actual rate rather than the LHA cap now.  My understanding is that on UC you can get the one bed rate even if you live in shared accommodation, but as above, only up to the amount that you actually pay.  If you're still on ESA I'm not so sure!

dantelloyd

I've never been on ESA, so that's not an issue. If it is the case that I would be entitled to the higher rate, arguably I would have been entitled to it while I was waiting for my PIP to be appealed resulting in a loss of money.

poppy123456

Hi,

You will be entitled to the 1 bedroom rate of LHA, even though you're living in shared accomodation. Check here, what that is.

https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/ It should also be backdated to the start of your PIP award.

Although, do be aware that if the LHA rate is more than your rent then you won't receive that, you will only receive your maximum rent amount. It's likely though that the LHA won't cover all of your rent.

Adrian_Scope

Hello @dantelloyd. I hope @OverlyAnxious and @poppy123456's detailed responses have helped. Please let us know if you have any further questions.