nav[aria-label="Primary Navigation"] { padding: 0; & ul { list-style: none; width: 100%; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: start; align-items: start; gap: 30px; padding: 0; & li { margin: 0; } & ul li { list-style: none; } } }

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

Council tax reduction /housing benefit/discretionary housing payments

TaraHeart

Hi there, I’ve just moved house. From living alone in a 2 bed, to my son moving with me into a 3 bed. He will help care for me along with my daughter who stays regularly to help me shower(so she stays in the 3rd bedroom).
I am about to make an application for discretionary housing payments to the council as the rent is considerably more, but I needed the move for health reasons and my children can help me more.
How will this affect the council tax rebate,will my son (he works from home)be a disregarded person as he helps care for me?
How Will this affect my housing benefit?
I receive UC and the housing element, and enhanced PIP for daily living and mobility.
Any advice much appreciated. Thank you.

Find more posts tagged with

Comments

poppy123456

There will be no non dependent deductions for your housing element because of your PIP daily living award.
You will need to report the changes for moving on your journal.

You can apply for a DHP through your local Authority but there’s no guarantee that you will receive it and if you do it’s only paid for a short period of time.

For council tax reduction there’s a carers discount but you will need to speak to your local Authority regarding this.

There's some info here regarding this. https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/financial-support/help-with-household-finances/council-tax-rate-relief

calcotti

The amount of help you get from UC to pay your rent should increase because you are now eligible for two bedrooms (because your son lives with you) rather than one. You need to sort that out before applying for a DHP because you don’t know what the shortfall is so you don’t know what you are asking for.

In general, I would not expect the local authority to award a DHP if you moved into a property which you could not afford. Even if granted a DHP is usually only for a short period of time.

poppy123456

calcotti said:

In general, I would not expect the local authority to award a DHP if you moved into a property which you could not afford. Even if granted a DHP is usually only for a short period of time.

Just to add to this, there could also be issues because the son is working and they could say that the son should pay the shortfall, if there is any.

TaraHeart

Many thanks for the replies, very helpful in the maze of benefit land. Will see what they have to offer.

L_Volunteer

You are welcome @TaraHeart. It is the very least you deserve.

I can hear how confusing it is in the maze of benefit land. Please don't hesitate to let us know if we can do anything else to support you