Do I have to pay bedroom tax if I still need support, but no one is living with me any more?

sheZZa

I have a three bedroom house and receive Housing Benefit . I pay bedroom tax for one room. My son who lives with me and is my carer will be moving out soon into his own house. I will need to get someone to help care for me sometimes as he will no longer live here. Will I have to pay bedroom tax on the second empty bedroom although I still need support but no one is actually living with me? 

janer1967

Hi there 

As above yes you will have yo pay the extra bedroom tax 

If the carer lived with you and stayed overnight that could be different 

sheZZa

@woodbine
i will probably have to have someone stay overnight some nights. I’m going to see how I get on. I really don’t want to move as I want my grandchildren to be able to stay. Oh well you can’t have the best of both worlds I’ll just have to pay it.

sheZZa

@carer1967
My son was living here and he was my carer. I will probably need someone to stay overnight and am trying to make arrangements with other family members to do this on a rota. I was just thinking what would happen when he moved out.

calcotti

If you will regularly need a carer to sleep overnight then you will be allowed a bedroom for that carer and still only have one spare bedroom. Obviously you will need to evidence the need. More information here
https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/financial-support/help-with-benefits/bedroom-tax

Note that when your son moves out you will be living as a single person and be eligible for single person discount on your Council Tax Bill. Carer’s who stay overnight will not affect this if they are not actually living with you.

sheZZa

@calcotti
thank you for that information. After reading your link I think I meet the criteria for not paying the extra bedroom tax but only time will tell.